World’s Best Fudgy Brownies (Printer-Friendly)

Deep chocolate brownies with fudgy centers and crisp edges, finished with a shiny, crackly top for ultimate indulgence.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fats and Oils

01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
02 - 1/4 cup neutral oil (vegetable or canola)

→ Sugars

03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar

→ Eggs and Flavoring

05 - 3 large eggs (2 whole eggs plus 1 yolk)
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
08 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
09 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder

→ Chocolate and Mix-ins

12 - 3 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
13 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
14 - 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine melted butter, neutral oil, and chopped dark chocolate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
03 - Whisk espresso powder and Dutch process cocoa powder into the melted chocolate mixture to intensify the chocolate flavor. Set aside to cool slightly.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until thick, lighter in color, and glossy, approximately 3 to 6 minutes using a mixer or by hand.
05 - Gradually stir the cooled chocolate mixture into the whipped sugar and egg blend until fully incorporated.
06 - Sift in all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined, ensuring not to overmix.
07 - Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips and nuts if using, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
08 - Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 25 minutes or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
09 - Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. For cleaner slices, chill in the refrigerator briefly before cutting. Serve as desired.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Avoid overbaking to maintain a fudgy center; the toothpick should come out with moist crumbs.
02 - Use high-quality dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa) for optimal richness.
03 - Whisking the sugar and eggs well creates the characteristic shiny, crackly crust.