Description

Craving a dessert that’s as rich as a 4th of July fireworks finale and super easy to make? These Ultimate Gooey Brownies are your perfect treat! With a fudgy, chocolatey center, a shiny, crackly top, and customizable add-ins like red, white, and blue M&M’s for Independence Day, they’re a crowd-pleaser for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale

A batch of Ultimate Gooey Brownies needs simple ingredients for an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan (serves 9-12). Here’s what you’ll need, with some assumptions clarified for missing details:

Dry Ingredients:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder (e.g., Hershey’s Special Dark)
- Why it matters: Flour provides structure; salt enhances flavor; Dutch-processed cocoa gives a rich, dark chocolate taste.
- Substitutions: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free brownies. Regular unsweetened cocoa works but may be less intense.
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (12 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp corn or vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided (½ cup for melting, 1 cup for mixing)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
- Why it matters: Butter and oil ensure fudginess; sugar sweetens and creates the crackly top; eggs and yolk add richness and structure; vanilla enhances flavor.
- Substitutions: Use margarine or coconut oil for butter (dairy-free). Swap sugar for a sugar substitute like monk fruit (use per package conversion).
Add-Ins:
- ⅔ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup to 1 cup add-ins (e.g., red, white, and blue M&M’s, nuts, or roughly chopped cookies)
- Why it matters: Chocolate chips add gooey pockets; patriotic M&M’s or other add-ins bring texture and a festive look.
- Substitutions: Use white chocolate chips or chopped candy bars. For 4th of July, use red, white, and blue sprinkles or candies instead of M&M’s.

Tip: Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper flavor. Soften butter slightly for melting but keep eggs at room temperature for better mixing. Have extra add-ins for topping to enhance the patriotic theme.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Lightly spray with non-stick baking spray.
- Tip: Use a metal pan for crisp edges or glass for softer ones. Parchment overhangs make lifting brownies out easy.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ½ tsp salt, and ½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
Set aside.
- Tip: Sifting removes lumps for a smooth batter. Stir gently if no sifter is available.

Step 3: Melt Butter Mixture

In a medium saucepan, combine ¾ cup (12 tbsp) unsalted butter, 2 tbsp corn or vegetable oil, and ½ cup granulated sugar.
Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth (about 3-4 minutes).
Remove from heat and let cool slightly (about 5 minutes).
- Tip: Stir constantly to prevent burning. Cool to warm (not hot) to avoid cooking the eggs.

Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk 2 large eggs, 1 egg yolk, and the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar until well combined (about 1 minute).
Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Slowly pour the warm butter mixture into the egg mixture, adding a little at a time while whisking constantly until fully combined.
- Tip: Whisk gradually to temper eggs and avoid scrambling. Ensure the mixture is smooth and glossy.

Step 5: Combine and Add Mix-Ins

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir with a spatula until just combined (don’t overmix).
Fold in ⅔ cup chocolate chips and ½ cup to 1 cup add-ins (e.g., red, white, and blue M&M’s, nuts, or chopped cookies) with a few gentle folds.
- Tip: Fold gently to keep batter fudgy. For 4th of July, use patriotic M&M’s or sprinkles for a festive pop.

Step 6: Bake

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 30 minutes (9×9-inch pan) or 40 minutes (8×8-inch pan), until the edges are firm and the top is shiny and crackly.
Place the pan on a cooling rack and cool completely (about 2 hours).
- Tip: Check doneness with a toothpick; it should have moist crumbs. Don’t overbake for gooey texture.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Lift brownies from the pan using the parchment overhang.
Slice into 9-12 squares and serve, optionally topped with extra red, white, and blue sprinkles or M&M’s for a 4th of July flair.
- Tip: Wipe the knife between cuts for clean slices. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for extra festivity.