Brownies are one of the most beloved desserts around the world. Their rich chocolate flavor, chewy fudgy texture, and ease of preparation make them an ideal treat for chocolate lovers. This particular vanilla brownie recipe stands out for its simplicity and flexibility. With just a few core ingredients, anyone can whip up a pan of these crowd-pleasing brownies, from amateur bakers to seasoned cooks. Read on to learn what makes this recipe unique and foolproof.
This Scrumptious And Vanilla Brownies recipe checks all the boxes for beginner bakers. It requires no special equipment beyond basic baking pans and utensils. The ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store. The preparation and baking steps are straightforward with no complicated techniques. Finally, the results are reliably delicious each time. Even first-time bakers can impress their family and friends with these simple yet scrumptious homemade brownies.
What Makes Brownies Such A Popular Dessert?
- Irresistible chocolate flavor – Brownies feature cocoa powder or chocolate, which provides an intense, decadent chocolate taste.
- Satisfying fudgy texture – Properly baked brownies should be fudgy and moist, not cakey or dry. This chewy texture is part of their appeal.
- Customizable add-ins – Mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, and more allow for creativity and varied flavors.
- Portability – Brownies are baked in pans and sliced into bars, making them easy to serve and share.
- Comforting nostalgia – Many people have fond memories of enjoying homemade brownies. They evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia.
Why Is This Recipe Ideal For Beginner Bakers?
- Short ingredient list – It only requires pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and chocolate.
- Easy-to-follow steps – The instructions clearly explain how to mix, bake, and test for doneness.
- Forgiving recipe – Even if you over-mix or over-bake, the brownies still turn out tasty.
- Adaptable directions – Ingredients can be melted or softened depending on preference.
- Tips for success – The tips section provides guidance for the perfect texture and presentation.
Ingredients For Scrumptious And Vanilla Brownies
Baking scrumptious vanilla brownies starts with gathering a few simple ingredients.
Essential ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Salt
- Butter
- Large eggs
- Vanilla yogurt
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Possible ingredient substitutions:
- Dairy-free yogurt for regular yogurt
- Oil for butter
- Light brown sugar for granulated sugar
- Oat flour for all-purpose flour
Custom flavor ideas:
- Strawberry yogurt for vanilla yogurt
- Peanut butter or caramel swirls
- Nuts like walnuts or pecans
- Mix-ins like chocolate chunks or marshmallows.
Instructions For Scrumptious And Vanilla Brownies
With the ingredients assembled, it’s time to start baking. Follow these steps for perfect fudgy vanilla brownies every time.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking pan by spraying with nonstick cooking spray or lining with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Melt butter. In a small saucepan or microwavable bowl, melt the butter. Allow to slightly cool.
- Whisk eggs and yogurt. In a separate medium bowl, beat together the eggs and vanilla yogurt.
- Add butter and dry ingredients. Slowly stir the melted butter into the egg mixture. Then add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips. Gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Spread batter into prepared pan. Pour and spread the thick brownie batter evenly into the greased pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs. The edges should appear set.
- Cool completely before cutting. Allow the brownies to fully cool in the pan before slicing into squares.
Tips For Making Scrumptious And Vanilla Brownies
With a few helpful tips, you can master the art of baking fudgy, flavorful brownies.
Achieving fudgy brownie texture:
- Don’t overbake – Check early and err on underdone centers
- Rest before cutting – Let brownies fully cool in pan to help them set up
- Use melted butter – Creates more moisture versus creamed butter
- Slightly underbake – Fudgy centers occur when brownies are still a bit gooey inside
Topping ideas:
- Powdered sugar dusting – Simple sprinkle of powdered sugar over cooled brownies
- Chocolate ganache – Drizzle melted chocolate over top for extra decadence
- Nuts or sprinkles – Decoratively arrange toasted nuts or sprinkles on top
- Whipped cream – Add a dollop of whipped cream for an à la mode treat
Preventing sticking:
- Line with parchment – Parchment paper helps separate brownies cleanly from pan
- Grease well – Thoroughly coat pan with nonstick spray or butter
- Chill before cutting – Place pan in fridge for 10 minutes before slicing
- Cut when cool – Wait until completely cooled before attempting to cut
- Wipe knife – Wipe knife clean between each cut to prevent clinging.
Conclusion: Scrumptious And Vanilla Brownies
These scrumptious vanilla brownies are sure to satisfy any chocolate craving. The recipe’s moist texture and deep chocolate flavor makes it a crowd-pleasing dessert. With a few simple ingredients and easy instructions, anyone can bake up a pan of decadent homemade brownies. Let us know how your brownie-baking adventure goes! What tweaks or customizations worked for you? Be sure to check back for more easy recipes and baking inspiration. Happy baking.
Notes
· For fudgier brownies: Bake for a shorter time, closer to 25 minutes. You can also use a 9x9 inch pan.
· For chewier brownies: Bake for a few minutes longer, closer to 30 minutes.
· Don't overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough brownies. Mix until just combined, then stop.
· Cooling: Brownies are best cut and served when completely cool. This allows them to set properly.
· Storage: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients:
- • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- • 3/4 teaspoon salt
- • 1 teaspoon baking powder
- • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Wet Ingredients:
- • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- • 4 large eggs
- • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Other:
- • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- • 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. For fudgier brownies, you can use a 9x9 inch pan.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three batches, mixing until just combined after each addition. Do not overmix.
- Fold in extras (optional): If using chopped walnuts or chocolate chips, fold them gently into the batter using a rubber spatula.
- Pour batter into pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Depending on your oven and pan size, baking times may vary. It's best to start checking for doneness at the 25-minute mark.
- Cool completely: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Scrumptious And Vanilla Brownies
Serves: 4 persons
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 400 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 20 | 30.8% | |
| Saturated Fat 10 | 50% | |
| Trans Fat 0 | ||
| Cholesterol 70mg | 23.3% | |
| Sodium 150mg | 6.3% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 50 | 16.7% | |
| Dietary Fiber 3 | 12% | |
| Sugars 30 | ||
| Protein 5 | ||
| Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
| Calcium 0 | Iron 0 | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cheen Huaye
Executive Chef Marco Velasquez brings his unique, elevated Mexican cuisine to Cheen Huaye. A native of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Marco honed his skills in some of South Florida’s finest restaurants before opening his own restaurant.
At Cheen Huaye, you’ll experience authentic Yucatecan dishes made from fresh ingredients, to order. Our food has been praised by publications like the Miami New Times and continues to receive rave reviews from diners all over. So if you’re looking for a different take on Mexican food – one that’s still familiar yet exciting – come visit us at Cheen Huaye!