Are you a fan of the Brownie cake recipe? What if we told you that you could enjoy the best of both worlds with this delightful dessert, combining the rich, chocolatey goodness of brownies and the light, fluffy texture of cake?
Whether you’re a die-hard brownie lover or a cake fanatic, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best brownie cake recipes out there, so get ready to indulge in some serious chocolatey goodness!
Key Brownie cake Ingredients & Why
Butter
Use unsalted butter for richness and flavor in most cake recipes.
Chocolate
Dark or semisweet chocolate is essential for brownie cake recipes.
Enhance brownie cake with granulated or light brown sugar for sweetness and moisture.
Eggs bind ingredients and provide structure to the cake.
Flour
All-purpose flour gives brownie cake its structure and texture.
Cocoa Powder
Add cocoa powder for chocolate flavor and color in some recipes.
Baking Powder
Elevate your cake with baking powder for a fluffy texture.
Salt
Balance sweetness and enhance flavor with a pinch of salt.
Vanilla Extract
Infuse your cake with flavor using vanilla extract in certain recipes.
How Do You Make The Best Brownie Cake?
- To prepare, preheat the oven to 325F/163C convection (300F/149C conventional). Grease and line an 11×15* inch sheet pan with baking spray and parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy brownie removal.
- Place melted Danish Creamery Unsalted Butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl (I used a stand mixer). Beat vigorously with an electric mixer at full speed for about 5 minutes until the mixture turns super pale and fluffy.
- Mix cocoa powder and salt until smooth. Ensure no residue by scraping the bowl’s base and sides with a rubber spatula.
- Incorporate flour at low speed, ensuring even mixing, and remember to scrape the bowl’s bottom and edges.
- Bake the brownie batter in the prepared pan for 25 minutes until the edges are baked, and the center is no longer wet. It should feel soft but firm when touched.
- Cool for 30-60 minutes after baking, then refrigerate prior to cutting brownie circles.
Pro Tips For Making Brownie Cake Recipe
- Use high-quality chocolate or dark cocoa powder for rich, intense brownies.
- Opt for room temperature eggs and melted butter for a moist, chewy, and fudgy texture. Whip sugar and eggs until light and fluffy for structure without leavening agents.
- Mix the batter minimally to avoid dense brownies. Stop when the dry mix vanishes, then bake promptly.
- Line your pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang for easy lifting and non-stick results.
- Avoid over-baking to maintain fudginess; follow your recipe’s specified time and temperature.
- Enhance with mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut for added texture and flavor. Swirl in peanut butter, caramel, or Nutella, or top with frosting for a festive touch.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting for neat, even squares.
How to Store Brownie Cake
- Room Temperature: Keep brownies fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container, cake container, or tightly wrapped in plastic and stored in a bag. Alternatively, leave them in the baking pan, covering with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
- Refrigerator: Refrigerate brownies for up to a week in an airtight container, double-sealed to prevent odors. Wrap cooled brownies with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or use a zippered storage bag.
- Freezer: Freeze brownies for up to 3 months in a sealed plastic bag or container.
- Cut Brownies: For pre-cut brownies, wrap each slice individually or arrange slices together, aligning sliced edges.
- Softening Brownies: To prevent edge-hardening, store in plastic wrap or a container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and softness.
Can You Freeze Brownie Cake?
- Slice, wrap, and freeze for later.
- Freeze your brownies within 2-3 days of baking for freshness.
- Keep brownies in the freezer for up to three months.
- Wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.
- Optimal freezing: keep brownies uncut.
- Whether it’s brownies with nuts, coconut, or chocolate pieces, or dark chocolate brownies, follow these steps for successful freezing.
- Note: Brownies with cream cheese may not freeze as well due to potential moisture issues during thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brownie Cake
Can brownies be made into cupcakes?
Easily turn brownies into cupcakes by pouring the batter into a muffin tin and reducing the baking time.
Can brownies be frozen?
When you’ve allowed brownies to cool completely, freezing is the way to go to extend their shelf life.
How can I make brownies dairy-free?
Easily make the switch to dairy-free by replacing butter with alternatives like coconut oil or vegan butter, and opting for almond milk instead of regular milk.
Brownie cake Recipe
Ingredients
Brownie Cake Layers
- 1 1/2 cups (340g) Danish Creamery European Style Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 (80g) unsweetened cocoa powder, spooned and leveled (I use dutch processed)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 3/4 cups (210g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
Frosting
- 1 cup (227g) Danish Creamery Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 8 oz (1 brick) cream cheese, room temperature
- 6 cups (720g) powdered sugar, spooned and leveled
- tiny pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup (60mL) (reserving 1 Tbsp for just the chocolate buttercream) heavy whipping cream, room temperature,
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 cup (20g) unsweetened cocoa powder, spooned and leveled (I used dutch processed)
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 325F/163C convection (300F/149C conventional). Next, grease and line an 11x15* inch sheet pan with baking spray and parchment paper. Make sure to leave an overhang and secure it with metal binder clips for effortless brownie removal.
- In a large bowl (I used a stand mixer), place the melted Danish Creamery Unsalted Butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer at full speed, beat them together for approximately 5 minutes until the mixture becomes super pale and fluffy.
- To achieve a perfectly smooth consistency, add cocoa powder and salt, then beat the mixture. Make sure to scrape the bowl's bottom and edges using a rubber spatula.
- Gently add the flour, beating at a low speed, ensuring it's fully incorporated, and don't forget to scrape the bottom and edges of the bowl.
- Spread the brownie batter in the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the edges are baked, and the center is no longer wet. When you touch it, it should feel soft but firm underneath.
- After removing from the oven, cool for 30-60 minutes, then refrigerate before cutting brownie circles.