Fudgy Chewy Brookies: A Chocolate Lover’s Dream

Introduction & Inspiration

As a self-proclaimed chocoholic, I’m always searching for the perfect chocolatey treat. Brownies? Love them. Chocolate chip cookies? Can’t resist. But why choose when you can have both? That’s where these brookies come in. The inspiration struck when I was craving both a fudgy brownie and a chewy cookie, and I thought, “Why not combine them?” The result is a truly decadent dessert that satisfies both cravings in one perfect bite.

Homemade Focus

While there’s nothing wrong with a boxed brownie mix or store-bought cookie dough, making brookies from scratch takes them to a whole new level. This recipe is surprisingly easy, and the result is a batch of brookies that are far superior to anything you can buy pre-made. Plus, making them yourself allows you to control the quality of ingredients and ensure a truly decadent and delicious treat.

Flavor Goal

The goal here is to create brookies that are rich, fudgy, and intensely chocolatey, with a perfect balance of chewy and gooey textures. The dark chocolate provides a deep and intense flavor, while the combination of caster and demerara sugar adds a touch of caramel-like sweetness. The chocolate chips create pockets of melty chocolate throughout the brookies, making each bite a truly indulgent experience.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s delve into the key components of these amazing brookies:

• Plain Flour: Provides the structure for the brookies.
• Cocoa Powder: Enhances the chocolate flavor and contributes to the fudgy texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the brookies rise slightly and creates a chewy texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Dark Chocolate: The star ingredient, providing the rich and intense chocolate flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the brookies.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the fudgy texture.
• Caster Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to a chewy texture.
• Demerara Sugar: Adds a hint of caramel-like flavor and a slightly crunchy texture.
• Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor of the brookies.
• Chocolate Chips: Creates pockets of melty chocolate throughout the brookies.

Equipment

You’ll need a few essential tools to make these fudgy chewy brookies:

• Baking tray
• Parchment paper
• Heatproof bowl
• Saucepan
• Electric hand whisk
• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

• 95g (¾ cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 225g (1 ¼ cup) dark chocolate, chopped
• 56g (¼ cup) butter, salted or unsalted
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 100g (¾ cup) caster sugar
• 90g (½ cup) demerara sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 85g (½ cup) dark or milk chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) fan or 170°C (338°F) conventional. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Melt Chocolate and Butter: Combine the chopped chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (double boiler). Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
3. Whip Eggs and Sugars: In a separate bowl, whisk together the caster sugar, demerara sugar, and eggs on high speed until light, thick, and fluffy.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips in another bowl.23
5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually fold the melted chocolate mixture into the whipped eggs and sugar, then gently fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Bake: Scoop tablespoons of batter onto the prepared baking tray, spacing them well apart. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until set and crackly on top.
7. Cool and Finish: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Let cool on the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Troubleshooting

• Brookies too cakey: Avoid overmixing the batter. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
• Brookies too gooey: Bake for a few minutes longer, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly firm to the touch.
• Brookies sticking to the pan: Make sure the baking tray is lined with parchment paper.

Tips and Variations

• For a richer flavor, use high-quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa content.
• Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even butterscotch chips.
• Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for extra texture and flavor.
• For a festive touch, sprinkle the brookies with holiday sprinkles before baking.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Fudgy Chewy Brookies are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They pair perfectly with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee.

Nutritional Information

(Per serving, approximate)

• Calories: ~150
• Fat: ~9g
• Cholesterol: ~30mg
• Sodium: ~100mg
• Carbohydrates: ~18g
• Protein: ~3g

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Name: Fudgy Chewy Brookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12-14 minutes

Yields: Approximately 20 brookies

Q: Can I use a different type of flour?

A: While plain (all-purpose) flour is recommended, you can experiment with other types of flour, such as bread flour or a gluten-free blend. Keep in mind that this may affect the texture of the brookies.

Q: Can I make these brookies ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! You can bake the brookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage.

Q: Can I add a swirl of peanut butter to these brookies?

A: Yes, you can add a swirl of peanut butter to the batter before baking for an extra layer of flavor. Simply dollop spoonfuls of peanut butter onto the batter and swirl it with a knife or toothpick.