Can we talk perfect BROWNIES

[diamond4u]

So I've followed many brownie recipes for years, and they all pretty much turn out like cake, I never get the crackly top, if that's what it's called. I've just always blamed my gas oven, well now that I have a electric oven, I tried a recipe from YouTube! It came out perfect in terms of taste and that crackling too that I've never been able to achieve before!!

My only issue is, the recipe calls for 20mins, it's extremely gooey!! Like you can't even hold a slice in your hand, that's how gooey it is. It tastes amazing. I made it again today, and kept it in for 24mins, it was still extremely gooey.
I feel like if I leave it in any longer, the top will crisp up further, I know someone people really like the chewy gooey brownie, I actually prefer the top to be softer, and be able to hold a slice in my hand!

Anyone have the perfect recipe?? For brownies

If anyone is interested, the recipe I used called for
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter
200g dark chocolate
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup coco powder
1/4tsp salt
1tsp vanilla essence
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar

I like this recipe, but sometimes I reduce the sugar slightly. Have to be careful though because if you remove too much you basically get cake.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-ever-chocolate-brownies-recipe/amp

How long are you baking them for, OP? Most recipes leave them in the oven too long and they dry out and become cake. You need them slightly undercooked to get that gooey centre.

My current favourite recipe is the BBC Best Ever Brownies (if you Google that it's the first result). They come out with the crackling on top and are delicious!

@CoodleMoodle same as me - link above. It’s a good recipe.

I use the Suzy Wong Brownie recipe from the deep depths of MN history.

Humming bird bakery recipe is easy and produces great brownies.

www.redonline.co.uk/food/recipes/a500160/hummingbird-bakery-s-traditional-brownie/

This is the best brownie recipe, hands down. www.nigella.com/recipes/brownies

I use a recipe from a random kids baking book I got when the dc were small. I was always asked to bake brownies for parties/bring and share suppers etc.

I would like to 'upgrade' to a more grown up nutty type brownie though.

The Hummingbird ones are really sweet - can anyone recommend any that aren't so sweet please?

Like SoupDragon, I use SuzyWong's recipe, except I don't add walnuts
www.mumsnet.com/food/recipe/851-Brownies

That BBC good food one is the best. I do them for a bit longer tho.

I second the nigella recipe. And are you checking what size of tin to use. My brownies were always delicious but very gooey till my ds suggested using a slightly bigger tray to cook them in, and that sorted it all out

The Guardian 'how to make the perfect brownies' recipe. Never fails and very simple. Always has that shiny cracked top and gooey but solid base. Just made some yesterday actually!

I know it is cheating but DD2 (chief brownie maker) uses the Gluten Free Betty Crocker mix as a base then adds extra (double the quantity) of chocolate. They never fail and are wonderfully fudgy>

Honestly this is the best ever recipe.

pin.it/5u2mw7J

Will try some of the linked recipes!

The recipe I follow from YouTube, actually calls for a 7x7 tray, mine is 8x8. However on the video I swear it looks bigger than a 7x7

Just had a look at the nigella recipe, makes 48 😩 far too much for a trial

Those that use the bbc recipe. I notice it doesn't call for salt, do you add salt or follow the recipe exactly as it is?

BBC GF recipe here too, it’s never failed me and they seem to vanish in seconds! Follow the exact recipe.

BBC Best ever brownies

I do 2/3 quantity of the nigella recipe - never the full amount

Yes I always halve the Nigella recipe and that's more than enough.

@alpinia I agree with you completely.
The guardian perfect range of recipes by felicity cloake are all really well worked out and create the best results. Also I find fresh eggs (bought that day) make the difference. When the glossy top cracks and the inside is fudge-like and almost gooey it is the most incredible brownie. I have had the most compliments from that recipe. And cooling it immediately in the sink with ice packs gives the best result.
Dry, cake-like brownies are a huge disappointment.

Does anyone use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate if it calls for dark in brownie recipes? I don't like dark chocolate but love brownies so I'm wondering if it just doesn't have the bitterness of dark chocolate when you bake them

@toiletpaper no dark choc doesn't taste bitter when baked. It tastes better. Milk choc won't taste good in baking.