There are about as many flavors of brownies out there as there are people, and everyone seems to have a preference in this form of ultimate indulgence. This recipe is a way to make homemade brownies according to your favorite texture.

Brownies come in forms such as fudgy, “cakey,” frosted and blonde, and can contain everything from nuts and peanut butter to caramel and candy. Some people may even prefer healthier alternatives, filled with dates, honey and dark chocolate. But can you really go wrong when the food item at hand is in its most basic form, a rich and fudgy square of chocolate? I would argue the negative.

This recipe is for brownies that are chewy, dense, rich and just slightly under-baked to give the maximum fudgy effect. These are similar to the kind that comes from a boxed mix, but instead they are homemade, which is arguably better. Dangerously easy, these brownies are minimally time-consuming and can be whipped up with the aid of no more than a bowl and whisk.

The baking time can vary to obtain the desired texture. If you would like your brownie to be incredibly soft and fudgy, leave them in the oven for about 20 minutes. If you would prefer a chewier, and less dense bite, a baking time of 25 minutes will be more your style. Also remember that the brownies will firm up as they cool, so staying on the side of under-baked is the best way to ensure you achieve the best brownie possible.

Like most, ingredients stirred into the batter can be customizable. Although this recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark, white and milk chocolate chips as well as nuts and candies are all great mix ins. Provided at the end of this recipe is a variation that uses peanut butter cups to make a denser and incredibly rich bar for the avid peanut butter consumers out there. Any way you bake it, there is virtually no way to go wrong when it comes to the world of brownies.

Fudgy Brownies Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 tablespoon cooking oil

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

 Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking oil spray. Set aside while making batter.

In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter, cooking oil and sugar until they are thoroughly combined.

Then, mix in the eggs and vanilla until the batter becomes lighter in color.

To the bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not over-mix the brownies.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Pour the batter into the greased pan and smooth the top. Bake the brownies for 20-25 minutes, depending on preferred texture. The brownies are done when the center is set to the touch.

Variation – Peanut Butter Cup Brownies:

Prepare the pan and batter as directed in the recipe above, omitting the chocolate chips. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange 9 (or more) unwrapped chocolate peanut butter cups in the surface of the batter and press lightly.

Bake as instructed above.