You can rarely go past a good brownie when thinking about super portable make-ahead picnic desserts.
Looking for the world’s best brownie recipe? Well, it could all come down to taste and personal preference. I’ve rounded up unique brownie recipes that will appeal to all kinds of brownie aficionados.
What Makes A Good Brownie?
A great brownie balances flavor, texture, and the personal preference between fudgy, chewy, and cakey. Here’s what generally makes a brownie stand out:
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: A good brownie should have a deep, chocolatey flavor. This can come from high-quality cocoa powder, melted chocolate, or a combination of both. The choice of chocolate (dark, semi-sweet, milk) can greatly influence the flavor profile.
- Texture: Texture is often a matter of personal preference:
- Fudgy brownies are dense and moist, often with a slightly underbaked center. They achieve their texture from a higher fat-to-flour ratio.
- Chewy brownies have a bit more flour and possibly an additional egg to create a moist yet resilient crumb.
- Cakey brownies include more flour and a leavening agent like baking powder to give them a lighter and airier texture.
- Moisture: Good brownies should never be dry. The moisture usually comes from the fat (butter, chocolate, or oil), eggs, and the mixing method. Underbaking by just a few minutes can also ensure the brownies stay moist and gooey.
- Edges and Corners: For many, the edges and corners of a brownie pan are prized for their slightly crispy texture, offering a delightful contrast to the softer center.
- Enhancers: Adding a touch of espresso powder can deepen the chocolate flavor without adding a coffee taste. Vanilla extract is another common addition that can enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Add-Ins and Toppings: Nuts, chocolate chips, swirls of caramel or peanut butter, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top can all make a simple brownie recipe special. You could also go all in with a hybrid like my Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie.
Brownie Recipes
Whether you like your brownies fudgy, crackly, chewy, gooey, cakey, or even crispy, I’m confident I have the best brownie recipe for you.
I’ve even got vegan, gluten-free and brownies that meet all the allergen requirements. However, some diehard brownie fans prefer to skip to the chase with a decadent brownie batter dip.
Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies
Up your brownie game by combining them with a lush cheesecake topping and fresh summer raspberries. Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies give the humble brownie some dessert pizzaz and make the cheesecake very portable. What's not to love?
Get the Raspberry Brownie Recipe
Brown Butter Lemon Brownies
Zest up your brownie game with Brown Butter Lemon Brownies – a refreshing twist on traditional chocolate. These brownies are bursting with vibrant lemon flavor, with a decadently fudgy texture, topped with a luscious lemon glaze. They're the perfect summer picnic dessert.
Get the Brown Butter Lemon Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: https://cambreabakes.com/
Goat Cheese Brownies
Agreed, Goat Cheese Brownies may sound a little quirky. The smooth and creamy goat cheese blends seamlessly with chocolate for a surprisingly good flavor combination. Once you try them, you'll be hooked on these irresistibly unique brownies.
Get the Goat Cheese Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: https://www.sugarhero.com/
White Chocolate Brownies
White chocolate brownies are a delicious fusion of dark chocolate richness and vanilla slice delight. These brownies are rich, fudgy, and bursting with melt-in-your-mouth vanilla goodness.
Get the White Chocolate Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: https://thesimple-sweetlife.com/
Brandy Cherry Brownies
Fudgy Brandy Cherry Brownies are a decadent delight for brownie aficionados. Made with cocoa powder and fresh cherries, these gooey brownies are both simple and indulgent.
Get the Brandy Cherry Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: https://cinnamonandcoriander.com/
Dulce de Leche Brownies
With countless ways to make brownies, this Chocolate Brownies with Dulce de Leche recipe stand out. Rich cocoa brownies filled with dulce de leche, topped with salty pretzel pieces, and drizzled with even more dulce de leche after baking. Simply irresistible!
Get the Dulce de Leche Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: https://katethebaker.com/
Gluten Free Brownie Brittle
Even if you are not gluten-free, these brownie crisps take all the best brownie bits and bring them together in a compact brownie snack. Think of them as the cookies of the brownie kingdom.
Get the Gluten Free Brownie Brittle Recipe
Photo credit: glutenfreeonashoestring.com
Cookie Dough Brownies
Take two of life's great indulgences and create one crowd-pleasing portable treat. Fudgy brownies topped with edible cookie dough–what could be better?
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Photo credit: goodthingsbaking.com
Miso Tahini Brownies
This Miso Tahini Brownie recipe takes a boxed brownie mix up a level. The salty, earthy notes of miso and tahini perfectly complement the sweetness, creating a harmonious balance of flavors for a very sophisticated brownie.
Get the Miso Tahini Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: https://www.siftandsimmer.com/
Oreo Brownies
Like my Chocolate Oreo Cake, these Oreo brownies are rich and fudgy bars loaded with chocolate chips and a layer of Oreo cookies. A decadent treat that’s easy to make.
Get the Oreo Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/
Skillet Brownie
A Skillet Brownie is a decadent chocolate chip treat that boasts rich flavor and a moist, fudgy texture straight from the skillet. This easy recipe is perfect for any occasion and offers a deliciously simple way to satisfy your brownie cravings.
Get the Skillet Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://www.recipessimple.com/
Sourdough Discard Brownie Cookies With Cherries
Sourdough discard brownie cookies are thick and fluffy, with a moist, slightly chewy crumb. Bursting with sweet and juicy cherries in every bite, these decadent brownie hybrid are perfect for lovers of the classic chocolate and cherry flavor combo.
Get the Sourdough Discard Brownie Cookie Recipe
Photo credit: https://apinchofzest.com/
Chocolate Whiskey Brownies
Chocolate Whiskey Brownies are guaranteed to be the best boozy brownies you've ever tasted. For an extra decadent experience, serve them drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
Get the Chocolate Whiskey Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://scarlatifamilykitchen.com/
Sweet Potato Brownies
Like my Dark Chocolate Sweet Potato Fudge, sweet potato is the quiet here of this brownie recipe. Gluten-free and vegan, these sweet potato brownies are deliciously rich and fudgy.
Get the Sweet Potato Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://www.spabettie.com/
Red Velvet Cake Mix Brownies
What's better than red velvet cake? Fudgy, chocolatey Red Velvet Brownies loaded with white chocolate chips. The perfect brownie choice for a romantic Valentine's picnic.
Get the Red Velvet Cake Mix Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://theshortordercook.com/
Healthy Pumpkin Brownies (Gluten-Free)
This pumpkin brownie recipe is the perfect fall picnic dessert. These brownies are packed with chocolate flavor but also pack a punch thanks to the addition of pumpkin. Pumpkin is a champion of baked goods as it brings sweetness, keeps brownies moist, and makes them that little bit healthier.
Get the Pumpkin Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://realfoodrealdeals.com/
Banana Pudding Brownies
These easy-to-make Banana Pudding Brownies capture the essence of banana pudding with their chewy, fudgy texture, complemented by a crunch from vanilla wafers and the classic banana-walnut combo.
Get the Banana Pudding Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://thecaglediaries.com/
Vegan Fudgy Chocolate Protein Brownies
These vegan, fudgy chocolate protein brownies tick all the boxes, including being wheat—and top eight-free, so you never have to worry about picnic guests with food allergies. While being healthy is a big winner, more importantly, these super chocolatey brownies are velvety rich and incredibly delicious.
Get the Vegan Chocolate Protein Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: hungryhobby.net
Black Bean Brownies (Vegan, Gluten Free)
These delectable black bean brownies are a flourless, vegan, and gluten-free. Incredibly moist and fudgy, it's hard to believe they're so healthy.
Get the Black Bean Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: https://moonandspoonandyum.com/
Zucchini Brownies
Delectable Zucchini Brownies with chocolate chips! Shredded zucchini not only adds extra moisture but also gives you a reason to grab seconds – after all, who doesn't need more veggies? Enjoy these one-bowl treats that are not only super delicious but also packed with a bonus dose of healthy goodness.
Get the Zucchini Brownies Recipe
Photo credit: https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/
Related Recipes
It’s clear that the humble brownie is anything but ordinary. These unique brownie variations prove the endless possibilities for reinventing this beloved dessert.
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