If you love the perfect balance of rich, chocolatey indulgence and a little unexpected twist, then you are in for a treat with this Salted Fudge Brownies Recipe. These brownies are everything you want from a fudgy dessert—decadently moist and dense with intense cocoa flavor, complemented by a delicate sprinkle of sea salt that brightens and deepens every bite. This recipe has quickly become a personal favorite, offering a straightforward method to achieve brownies that feel gourmet yet are so easy to make at home. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or a special occasion, these salted fudge brownies are guaranteed to outshine the crowd.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the secret to nailing the texture, flavor, and appearance of these brownies. Each component plays a vital role—from the butter creating that luscious melt-in-the-mouth richness to the cocoa powder giving it an intense chocolate punch. Here’s what you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to keep the brownies perfectly dense but not cakey.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor and a matte, chocolaty color.
- Unsalted butter: Offers a smooth, rich base that also helps with fudgy texture.
- Unsweetened chocolate: Intensifies the chocolate taste and adds a wonderful chew.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies while helping their gooey consistency.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate and adds its own warm aroma.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the moisture.
- Flaked sea salt: The finishing touch that elevates the rich flavors and adds a subtle crunch.
How to Make Salted Fudge Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (or 180℃) to make sure it’s ready when your batter is mixed. Then, line an 8×8-inch metal pan with parchment paper, letting it hang over the edges for an easy lift later. Secure the parchment with binder clips if you have them, and give it a spray with nonstick baking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder. This little mix sets the foundation for that chocolaty flavor and ensures everything is evenly distributed throughout the batter for consistent texture.
Step 3: Melt Butter and Chocolate
In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter and chopped unsweetened chocolate over very low heat. Stir occasionally to combine them smoothly without burning. Once melted, remove from heat before you mix in the sugar and vanilla extract, ensuring the sugar dissolves well and the vanilla aroma shines.
Step 4: Incorporate the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition. This helps the batter emulsify, developing that luscious, fudgy consistency you crave.
Step 5: Blend in Dry Ingredients
Pour your dry flour and cocoa mix into the wet mixture and gently fold it in until just combined. Overmixing here can make brownies tough, so keep it delicate.
Step 6: Pour and Salt the Batter
Transfer the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the flaky sea salt evenly on top, then use a butter knife to swirl the salt slightly into the batter, giving each bite that surprising salty sparkle.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the brownies in the center of the oven for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a tiny trace of moist batter, delivering a texture that’s fudgy but not gooey.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Once baked, let your brownies cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. Then lift them out gently using the parchment edges and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Cut into squares and, if you want, sprinkle a little more flaky sea salt for that extra flavor burst before serving.
How to Serve Salted Fudge Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
These salted fudge brownies are fantastic on their own but become irresistible when topped with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a few fresh berries. The contrast between cold toppings and warm brownies will delight your taste buds.
Side Dishes
Pair your brownies with bright, fresh side dishes like a citrus fruit salad or tangy yogurt to cut through the richness. A cup of bold coffee or rich hot chocolate also makes a dreamy companion to these decadent treats.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your brownies as part of a dessert board alongside nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate shards. Or get playful by layering small brownie squares with cream and fruit in a glass for a deconstructed brownie parfait. Presentation can turn this humble dessert into a conversation starter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover salted fudge brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them moist and soft while ensuring the salty crunch stays intact.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, wrap brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge or on the counter before enjoying.
Reheating
To enjoy brownies warm, reheat individual pieces in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This softens their fudgy texture and brings back that melting chocolate goodness.
FAQs
Can I use baking chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate?
Yes, baking chocolate is a great substitute for unsweetened chocolate since both are unsweetened and provide similar texture and flavor. Just be sure to check for any added ingredients in your baking chocolate.
What if I don’t have flaky sea salt?
You can use regular coarse salt, but flaky sea salt is preferred because its larger crystals create that perfect pop of salty crunch on top of the fudgy brownie. You might want to use a little less if substituting.
How do I know when the brownies are perfectly baked?
The edges should look set and start to pull away slightly from the pan. When you insert a toothpick in the middle, it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. This ensures fudgy but not undercooked brownies.
Can I make these brownies in a larger pan?
Yes, but adjusting the baking time is important. A larger pan means thinner brownies, which will bake faster—start checking for doneness about 5 to 10 minutes earlier.
Are salted fudge brownies good leftovers?
Absolutely! In fact, the flavors often deepen after resting a day. They stay moist and delicious, making them a fantastic treat to enjoy over several days.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have this easy and delicious Salted Fudge Brownies Recipe in your baking repertoire, you’re ready to wow friends and family with a dessert that feels both special and comforting. These brownies are foolproof and made with honest-to-goodness ingredients that deliver rich flavor and addictive texture every time. Go ahead and bake a batch—you’ll see why this recipe quickly becomes an absolute favorite!
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Salted Fudge Brownies Recipe
These Salted Fudge Brownies are rich, decadent, and perfectly balanced with a touch of flaky sea salt. Made with unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, and a generous amount of butter, these brownies offer a deep chocolate flavor and a fudgy texture that melts in your mouth. The addition of sea salt enhances the sweetness and adds a delightful twist to this classic dessert—perfect for chocolate lovers looking for a gourmet brownies recipe.
- Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling time)
- Yield: 9 brownies
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
Additional
- 1/2 teaspoon flaked sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180℃) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the brownies evenly.
- Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8 metal pan with parchment paper, allowing the edges to drape over the sides. Secure the parchment with binder clips and spray the surface lightly with nonstick baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder to combine and break up any lumps.
- Melt Butter and Chocolate: In a large saucepan over very low heat, melt the unsalted butter with the chopped unsweetened chocolate. Stir occasionally until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat immediately once melted.
- Add Sugar, Vanilla, and Eggs: Into the melted butter and chocolate mixture, stir in the granulated sugar and vanilla extract until combined. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth batter.
- Combine Batter: Gradually stir the dry flour and cocoa mixture into the wet ingredients until there are no streaks, forming a fudgy brownie batter.
- Pour and Salt: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the 1/2 teaspoon of flaky sea salt evenly over the top, then use a butter knife to gently swirl the salt into the batter.
- Bake: Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper edges, lift the brownies out of the pan to continue cooling on the rack until completely set.
- Serve: Cut the brownies into 9 squares. Optionally sprinkle additional flaky sea salt on top before serving to enhance the flavor contrast.
Notes
- Using parchment paper helps to easily lift the brownies out of the pan without breaking.
- The swirled sea salt adds a beautiful contrast to the sweetness and deep chocolate flavor.
- Don’t overbake – the center should be slightly moist for a perfect fudgy texture.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for about a week.
- For an extra indulgent touch, serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
