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Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies. Back to the classics with these DELICIOUS fudge brownies with the most perfect crinkled top. Made using salted butter, chocolate chips, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, flour, cocoa, and one large cup of chopped chocolate chunks. These brownies are rich, sweet, thick, and fudgy, and take very little effort to make. Enjoy them topped with flaked sea salt. These are your go-to, never-fail, better-than-the-box brownies!

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Oftentimes – no, most of the time- when I’m cooking and baking for family and friends, I reach for the classic recipes I know everyone loves. I’m sure that sounds shocking, but with the number of recipes I share, I don’t have many opportunities to make the classics!

And the truth of the matter is, they really are my favorite. So when I’m able to improve a classic recipe like, say, my beer bread or my dad’s tacos. I’m always the most excited to share!

Finally, after years of secretly trying to figure out the secret to always getting that perfect fudge brownie with a crinkly top and the yummiest flavor, I think I’ve landed on THE recipe.

And I am so happy to share it today! My hope is that this is the brownie recipe you always come back to!

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

The Details

Ingredients

  • Salted butter
  • 1 bag of mini chocolate chips
  • Instant coffee or espresso powder
  • Pure vanilla extract
  • Eggs – Make sure they are at room temperature and not at all chilled
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Sea salt
  • Chocolate chunks – I love to use dark chocolate

Special Tools

 You’ll need a skillet, a couple of mixing bowls, and a square brownie pan.

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Steps

Step 1: brown the butter

To do this, add the cold, salted butter to a skillet. I like to use a cast-iron skillet.

Let the butter sizzle and brown over medium heat. This will take around 5 minutes.

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 2: add the chocolate

Remove the pan with the butter from the stove and mix in the chocolate until melted. Then, add the instant coffee and vanilla.

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 3: the eggs

The key to adding the eggs is to really whisk them first. You can’t skip this step.

Whisking the eggs before mixing them into the brownie batter creates air within the eggs that helps create that crinkly top. It might seem like an unnecessary step and a waste of a clean bowl, but just trust me on this: it’s what makes these brownies great.

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 4: finish the batter

Mix the eggs into the chocolate. Add the powdered sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Whisk until the batter is very smooth and shiny.

Mix in a big handful of chocolate chunks. I like to use dark chocolate.

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 5: bake

Use a 9×9-inch square brownie pan for these. I baked mine for exactly 30 minutes.

I like to finish my brownies off with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt. Definitely optional, but extra yummy – and pretty too!

These are perfect every time and absolutely delectable. My little sister Asher and my dad agreed that these are their favorite!

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for easy chocolate desserts? Here are a few ideas: 

Crinkle Top Brownies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Blondies

Giant Salted Espresso Hot Fudge Cookies

Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Retro-Style Chocolate Sheet Cake

Lastly, if you make these Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

@halfbakedharvest

Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies – baking this weekend!!

♬ original sound – halfbakedharvest

Brown Butter Crinkle Top Brownies

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 16 brownies
Calories Per Serving: 149 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Watch the How-To Reel

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×9 inch square pan with parchment paper.
    2. Add the butter to a pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Mix in the mini chocolate chips until all are melted. Stir in the vanilla and instant coffee. 
    3. In a bowl, whisk the eggs for 1 minute until bubbly on top. Add the melted chocolate and powdered sugar, whisking until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chunks.
    4. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until the brownies are just set and crinkly on top. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt if desired. Enjoy! 
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Fudgy, Crinkly, Brown Butter Brownies | halfbakedharvest.com

This post was originally published on March 7, 2025
4.69 from 16 votes

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Comments

  1. Success!! Perfect crinkly top and fudgy interior.

    I made a 9×13 pan but since I like my brownies on the thicker side, I increased the recipe to 1.5x. A bit. We ius since the last time I tried something similar with a recipe it was a huge fiasco, but this time it was a success!

    1. I want to make mine in a 9×13 too. So did you double the recipe or follow the recipe but added another half of everything?

  2. 5 stars
    Easy recipe, love the brown butter and instant coffee combo to make this a rich chocolate DREAM!!! Will 100% be making these again!

  3. 5 stars
    The brown butter changes everything! These brownies were so soft, fudgy, and delicious. My family finished these so fast, I’m debating making another batch 2 days after making the first one!

    1. Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! So glad you are loving these brownies! I agree, the brown butter is a game changer! Thanks again! 🙂 xT

  4. 5 stars
    A friend served these brownies several times and they are fantastic. She gave me the recipe, and I’m wondering if you have any tips for doubling it. Thanks!

    1. Hey Debra,
      So glad to hear you have been enjoying this recipe:) Sure, you could double and bake in a 9×13 baking pan. I hope this helps! Happy Sunday! xx

    1. Hi Cynthia,
      Sure, that would be just fine for you to do. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know how it turns out for you!