Is there anything better than a delicious fudgy brownie that sticks to your fingers and teeth alike? Messier the better, in my sweet humble opinion. Regardless of whether you enjoy the crusty corner or gooey center (obviously, the center is where it’s at folks), I’ve turned to bon appetit for their 6 common mistakes to avoid when baking brownies. – Content Provided by bon appetit
1. Using Any Old Recipe:
The recipe you use matters, and here's why: Most people fall into two brownie-related categories: Those who prefer cake-like brownies, and those who want them on the fudgier side. To make the brownies of your dreams, you've got to first know which type of brownie you prefer. If you're into cakey brownies, go for a recipe that is reminiscent of, well, cake: For example, if your instructions include creaming together butter and sugar, says senior associate food editor Alison Roman, you're probably going to be making a cake-like brownie. Which is great, if you're into that. If you prefer fudgy brownies, says associate food editor Claire Saffitz, look for a recipe that has a higher chocolate and butter-to-dry ingredient ratio.
2. Baking with Poor-Quality Chocolate:
Brownies don't require a lot of ingredients—so the ones you use should be really great. Instead of purchasing ubiquitous "baking chocolate," says Saffitz, just grab chocolate that you'd want to eat on its own. Go for the good stuff—this isn't the time for cutting corners or making due with an inferior product. And what about cocoa powder? While you can use it, the test kitchen warns against doing so casually—its flour-like properties make for a cakey batter which, although super chocolatey, is drier than the dense, gooey brownies many people aim for. Since we're talking chocolate, it's time to lose the miniature chips: They contain stabilizers, Saffitz explains, which don't melt well, and also add things into your batter that just don't need to be there. Instead, use bar chocolate and chop it into big chunks; it'll melt slowly, making rich, ultra-chocolatey brownies. Senior food editor Dawn Perry likes to use a mix of dark chocolate (around 72%) and semisweet.
3. Scorching the Chocolate and Scrambling the Eggs:
Yes, you're going to need to melt your chocolate. But don't combine screaming-hot-just-melted Guittard to your eggs, butter and sugar—it'll cook and scramble the eggs, not to mention potentially burn the chocolate. Speaking of temperature, make sure to bring the rest of your ingredients to room temperature before combining. Does it take a little planning to remove those eggs and butter from the fridge an hour in advance? Sure, but they'll combine much better than when chilly, yielding a smoother, creamier batter. Here's a cheat: If you forgot to take your eggs out of the fridge before beginning, stick them in warm (NOT hot!) water for about 15 minutes.
4. Going Overboard with the Add-Ins:
We've all seen brownies with intricate flavor combinations, but honestly, are you ever craving a chocolate-chipotle-raspberry-lime brownie? Pick one "extra" flavor or add-in, like chocolate, cream cheese, or nuts, and stick with it. The point here, explains Saffitz, is to enhance the chocolate's flavor—not mask it. That said, according to Perry, "No one is going to mind if you fold in some Reese's peanut butter cups."
5. Under-baking the brownies:
Under-baking makes for gooey, melty brownies, right? Wrong! Under-baking your pan of brownies means you'll be eating, well, under-baked brownies. Always follow your recipe's baking time (toothpick test doesn't work here!) and bake your brownies until they're done. The right texture is all in the right recipe; it's not about the cooking time. To make sure you don't overbake your brownies, it's worthwhile investing in a clear Pyrex pan—that way, you can keep an eye on how things are looking. What size and shape should you use? The test kitchen overwhelmingly recommends an 8X8 straight-sided square pan. It's all about the crispy corners. Besides, says Perry, "There is just something magical about that square pan of brownies."
6. Digging in Too Soon:
Restrain yourself! The brownies will continue to set as they cool down, as well as develop flavor. Plus, they slice and come out of the pan much easier when properly cooled. But, if presentation doesn't matter and your appetite can't wait, then go for it!
For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, including my delightfully delectable espresso brownies, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!
P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!
Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!
Sincerely,
Tiffany Lewis
Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!
