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Home » Picnic Desserts

20 Unique Brownie Recipes

Published: Mar 24, 2024 by Kate O'Malley · This post may contain affiliate links. See end of article for more information · Leave a Comment


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.

A collage of 4 brownie images.
Jump to:
  • What Makes A Good Brownie?
  • Brownie Recipes
  • Related Recipes

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
A square of Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie on a plate with a fork in front.
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/
Slices of lemon brownies with zest topping on a wooden surface.
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/
A layered dessert with a brownie base, white cream center, and chocolate ganache topping, sprinkled with coarse salt, on a wooden surface.
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/
White chocolate brownies on a wooden board.
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/
Chocolate cake with cherry topping stacked in three layers.
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/
A chocolate brownie topped with caramel and a pretzel on a white background.
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
Brownies next to a glass of milk.
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?
Get the Cookie Dough Brownie Recipe
Photo credit: goodthingsbaking.com
Cookie dough brownies cut into squares.
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/
Stacked chocolate brownies on a white surface.
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/
A stack of layered oreo brownies on a white plate with a striped napkin on the side.
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/
Skillet chocolate chip brownie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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/
A stack of chocolate cookies with melted chocolate drizzling down on a striped cloth.
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/
Caramel being poured onto a stack of brownies on a wooden board.
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/
Three chocolate brownies with frosting, stacked on a baking sheet.
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/
A stack of red velvet cookies with white chocolate chips.
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/
Stack of three chocolate brownies with more on a plate in the background, accompanied by a small orange pumpkin on a kitchen counter.
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/
A banana pudding brownie with vanilla wafers in a glass dish next to a checkered napkin.
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
A ladies hand holding a fudgy brownie with a bite taken out of it.
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/
Freshly baked chocolate chip brownies on parchment paper, with extra chocolate chips scattered around.
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/
Zucchini Brownies

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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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About Kate O'Malley

Picnic enthusiast, passionate cook, and the creative force behind Picnic Lifestyle. With a globe-trotting background and a keen eye for local ingredients, she's mastered the art of crafting delectable picnics and portable feasts (especially for long travel days). Kate's passion for al fresco dining comes alive in this guide, curating perfect picnics for every occasion.

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