Recently, I was shocked to discover that there are people who have never had a homemade brownie. I can’t even imagine. Of course, they’d had brownies made from a mix, but none that were truly homemade. Having shared these brownies with them, I have been assured that they are now completely spoiled. Boxed brownies will never quite measure up again.
These particular brownies are from The Sweeter Side of Amy’s Bread. Amy’s Bread is a well-established, well-loved bakery in New York. It is actually one of the first bakeries I ever visited in New York. Most of you know how often we visit New York. I love to try out new bakeries and revisit some old favorites.
The original recipe has nuts, but I opted to leave them out at Quinn’s urging. I must say that they really don’t need the nuts at all. For a non-augmented brownie, these are some of the very best I’ve ever had.
If there are any of you out there who have never experienced a homemade brownie, I urge you to make these or some other recipe as soon as you can. My only rule of brownie baking is to use the very best chocolate you can find. Brownies are one of the simplest things to bake. Most of them can be made in just one bowl. And they certainly beat brownies from a box any day.
Looking for homemade brownie inspiration? Check out some of these.
Ingredients
- 3 & 1/3 cups (20 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 & 3/4 cups chopped nuts, toasted (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9″x 13″ baking pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper.
Melt butter, half of the chocolate chips, and usweetened chocolate in a double boiler (or microwave). Let mixture cool to warm.
Whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla just until mixed. Over-mixing will cause crumbly brownies. Fold in warm chocolate mixture.
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold dry ingredients into chocolate mixture until just combined. Stir in remaining chocolate chips and nuts (if using), mixing just until combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread to an even thickness. Bake 32-36 minutes. The edges will be slightly firm and the center will be soft when they are fully baked. Do not overbake. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
Notes
These brownies may cut better if they are chilled first.
Recipe adapted from The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Ooooo… those look perfectly fudgy with the great crinkly crust on top that I love. I will definitely be trying this recipe!
April 29th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Wow! These look delicious! I can’t wait to try them.
Thanks for sharing.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Your Brownies look simply scrumptious! Thanks for the recipe..
April 29th, 2009 at 9:04 am
These look wonderful. My husband loves brownies, so I’m always looking for good new brownie recipes to try. He would love these!
April 29th, 2009 at 9:06 am
These look yummy. The crust is absolutely wonderful. But which would you sayis your favorite, of these, the Supernatural Brownies, and MS’s Double Chocolate Brownies?
April 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I just made brownies for my students yesterday! I made mine with cocoa powder instead of chopped chocolate, but they ended up looking very similar to yours – fudgy-like. I don’t like using expensive chocolate, if the event is not special. I will have to try these very soon and use it for a special occasion.
April 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am
What kind of a person has never had a homemade brownie? I didn’t know you could live past the age of three without having had this vital sustenance! Lovely recipe — very homemade. Thanks for the inspiration!
April 29th, 2009 at 11:00 am
These were the absolute best brownies I have ever had! Thanks for sharing, they were perfect!
April 29th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Well honestly, very few folks in our families made homemade brownies. Straight from the box. That’s what we were used to. But of course, when we got the homemade deal, it was a life changer. Delicious of course!
April 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Just this year did I first have a homemade brownie, and you are right about not going back. I tried the Supernatural Brownie, but these look just as good. Thanks for sharing!
April 29th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I’m a complete brownie snob now (thanks, Jennifer) and I have to say these are at the top of my short list. They have a saltiness that pushes them over the top. I.. I miss them.
April 29th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Seconding the idea of leaving the nuts out…who needs ‘em?! These look gorgeous!
April 29th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Avanika, I might have to say that these are my favorite. They have a wonderful flavor and texture.
April 29th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I was scarred by the experiences of actually BAD homemade brownies before. They had this thick crusty layer on top and they were sort of bland. Hardly chocolaty at all! I relied on box brownies for years. I just recently attempted a recipe from scratch, and I must say, I too am sold. It’s tough because I love chewy, fudge-y brownies, and my fiancee loves cakey ones… but I think I’ll definitely keep looking for a scratch recipe that we can both enjoy.
These look pretty fudge-y… maybe I’ll just make some for myself! Hehe…
April 30th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Ok, ok if you insist I will make these brownies!
April 30th, 2009 at 10:13 am
These look wonderful. I have been very torn about buying the cookbook because I do not need a new baking book but I love love love their oaty nutty scones. (They’re not very sweet and they have enough of a crunchy granola vibe that I convince myself that they’re not the worst thing to eat for breakfast.) These brownies make it more tempting!
April 30th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I can’t wait for the weekend to try this recipe.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
just finished making them- they are perfect!
April 30th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Guilty as charged! My mom used to make boxed brownies and top them with store bought fudge icing. I’m surprised I didn’t have a mouth full of cavities! I’ve never been to Amy’s, I’ll have to go check it out!
May 1st, 2009 at 6:18 am
They look just wonderful! I am shocked that brownies come in a box!!! Why I thought you had to make them from scratch. Next time I will give it a go without the nuts as well.
May 1st, 2009 at 8:52 am
Well, I know have another book to add to my Amazon wish list.
Have you tried the brownies from the book “Baked”? I thought they were pretty good and there are some great recipes in it. Have you ever been to their store?
May 1st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
This look perfect…..
I am getting this book tomorrow…
May 1st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
These look perfect….. shaking my head here… long day….
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:05 am
Dishes like this (brownies!) make my wife happy. Perhaps I’ll surprise her tomorrow?
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 am
Phillip, I haven’t tried the Baked brownie yet. I’ve been reluctant because of the coffee aspect. I’m just not a coffee fan. I suppose I could leave it out, but that might seem like I’m missing out on the whole Baked experience. I do have the Baked cookbook and love it! Oh, that Sweet and Salty Cake!
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
omg now that is a gorgeous brownie photoshoot if I have ever seen one. These look just divine.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:48 am
These do look amazing.I also love visiting new and old bakerys except in SF.
May 4th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Since you say they are so good, I’m going to have to try them soon.
I’m sure they’ll be great
May 5th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
These brownies look so heavenly delicious…I’ll definitely try it.
May 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
new to your site via A Cup of Jo and loving it! can’t wait to try out some of your recipes.
xo
Kelly
May 6th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Found your site from Cup of Jo….LOVE all the beautiful pictures….reminds me of my Martha Stewart Baking book, which I LOVE….can’t wait to print out some recipes & get to it!
May 6th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Mmm, those look AWESOME!!
I’ve found that the key to great brownies is undercooking them so that they come out looking all gross and gooey…then they’re perfect.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Delish! I just made Fiesta Brownie cups the other day with a favorite recipe of mine, but I’m thinking of trying this one, because there’s less sugar and uses butter instead of oil. =)
May 7th, 2009 at 4:20 am
Homemade brownies are the best for sure – I make some with fresh raspberries dotted in them – divine!
May 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Amy’s is an amazing bakery and this brownies are only missing one thing – a glass of milk!
May 15th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
These look like the perfect brownies. I always try to make from scratch, but they are never quite right. Can’t wait to try these!!
May 18th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Homemade brownies are so distinctly different from the box – and each recipe is so unique. Can’t wait to try these!
Mark Garso
June 11th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
These look incredible! I’ve been craving brownies lately and these look PERFECT!
June 12th, 2009 at 11:58 am
These brownies have become my absolute favorite. I’ve made them 3 times now (since discovering them on this site), and they are just perfect. I’m sending a batch to my pregnant sister-in-law tomorrow!
June 29th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I must admit – your brownies do look delicious! Great job!!
July 24th, 2009 at 1:56 am
They do delicious, you really can’t beat home baked brownies. Thanks for for the top tips.
July 24th, 2009 at 1:56 am
They do look delicious, you really can’t beat home baked brownies. Thanks for for the top tips.
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Wow, these look divine. My favorite dessert in the whole world is a rich brownie a la mode. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
made these lastnight and currently serving them to my workmates – they’re a definite hit!
personally, i could only cut them chilled (maybe i did something wrong??). also, next time i’ll probably use mini chocolatechips – I’m finding the big ones are a bit too chunky.
seriously though – make these and never make any other!
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wow! These look dense and scrumptious. I usually stick with the Baker’s one bowl brownie recipe, but I might have to deviate and try these.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:24 am
wow these brownies look awesome! would you recommend this recipe or this: your other double chocolate brownie recipeie. http://www.bakeorbreak.com/2008/04/double-chocolate-brownies/
i like brownies with a chewy inside and a very crisp shell. please advice! thanks!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Based on your preferences, I’d go with the double chocolate brownies. Enjoy!
November 15th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Hrm, btw relating to a comment you made back in may, the best brownies I ever had the person put expresso in (as well as a cheesecake top), and I don’t like coffee (I liked coffee even less back then when I had those). But, the coffee just adds a certain somethign, you don’t even taste it. I wish I had gotten her recipe but back then I didn’t really cook/bake or think I had the ability to do more than a simple brownie mix so I didn’t think I’d ever bother trying to make it anyways.
Oh, and I just made these brownies (haven’t even had a chance to taste them) with some changes of my own (used a caramel layer from another brownie recipe on your site as well as a layer of pecans cause I like turtle brownies). This is my first attempt at home made brownies (which is why I didn’t use the other recipe fo yours cause I wanted to try to make home made ones but I much prefer turtle brownies to plain brownies. One day I think I’ll try your cheesecake one).
Oh, and btw, I love the site. This is my fourth attempt at a recipe on your site (Tried your favorite chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cranberry cookies as well as the chocolate chip muffins, all to great success).
October 17th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
The brownies look so good. I am definitley going to make them!
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
This is one the gratest blogs and so easy to navigate, its wonderful, and wonderfully put together.
December 29th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
I made these brownies on Christmas Eve for my out of town guest. They were a huge hit!! Thanks so much for the great brownie recipe!!
July 7th, 2011 at 6:59 am
these are some of the most amazing brownies I’ve ever had. So FUDGY and delish – they are now my favorite recipe but tied with Salted Fudge Brownies also featured on this site. thank you!
April 22nd, 2013 at 9:08 pm
Jen- First off- your site is fabulous! Easy to navigate and whoever takes your photos deserves a raise!! Beautifully done! Now- about these brownies, they are delish! I’ve been baking for 35 years and brownies are my specialty! My latest best have been Ina’s Outrageous Brownies. These are equally good, however fall apart when cutting! I had a mess on my hands, although a very tasty mess at that!! There must be a way to hold these together better. Any suggestions? I cut them after an hr out of oven (left them in for 32 mins-perfect). Maybe they need to be refrigerated for a few hrs before cutting?? Next time! Will remake them for sure!
April 26th, 2013 at 10:15 am
Hi, Lisa! Brownies can be a bit crumbly sometimes. You might stick them in the freezer for a while after they’ve cooled to room temperature. Some people freeze them overnight, but an hour or so is probably enough. If you’re cutting them in the pan, you might try flipping them out onto a cutting board first. Or, you can line your pan with parchment paper (and grease or spray) before putting the batter in the pan. Then, just lift out the brownies using the overhanging paper to remove them easily before cutting.