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The BEST Crinkle Top Brownies.
Half Baked Harvest At Home
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Because there is a lot to celebrate today, and because it’s FRIDAY…and because everyone knows that Friday’s deserve chocolate.
So if there was ever a classic brownie recipe to have in your back pocket, it’s this one. Trust me on this. They remind me of the brownies I’d eat as a kid, and I’m really not sure there’s anything better. These are light, a little fudgy, extra chocolate flavor, perfectly sweet, and they have the most flakey, crinkly top ever. Oh my gosh, SO GOOD.
Before I dive into the delicious details, let me explain the reason I am sharing them.
As most of you know by now, my younger brother Red took home his first Olympic gold medal last week in Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle in PyeongChang, South Korea. If you missed my recap post, you can read part one here and part two here. I said from the start that I wasn’t going to make any fancy Olympic themed food. One, because I am not good with decorating food in fancy ways, and two, because I just didn’t have any great ideas.
That said, after returning home from Korea last week, I felt the need to create a recipe that I knew Red would love. I mean, he did win GOLD, so a celebratory dessert is certainly in order. Right?
Yes, yes, yes. For sure.
Here’s the thing, Red’s a semi picky eater, and doesn’t like anything fancy. His favorite desserts are Special K-Bars (cookbook recipe), chocolate chip cookies, and brownies.
I have a lot of brownie recipes on HBH, but I don’t have one brownie recipe Red would actually eat. Red likes his brownies simple. Chocolate, no frosting, maybe some powdered sugar, and preferably eaten slightly warm. So basically the brownies my mom would make us when we were kids. The ones that came straight out of the Betty Crocker box.
Not going to lie, I loved them too…which is why I am SO excited about these brownies. I really cannot stress enough just how good they are.
When I set out to make these crinkle top brownies, I thought for sure that I’d make them first try and they’d be perfect. I think I felt so confident because I’ve made a hundred and one brownie recipes. But guys, I tested these brownies over and over and over. It was so important to me that they would have the perfect texture, not be dense or cakey, and have the most flakey, crinkly top.
They needed to be perfect, just like the ones I remember eating as a kid with my brothers.
It took a while, used up a lot of eggs…and even more butter.
Like two full days of testing, way over a dozen eggs, probably pounds of butter. Six batches later (possibly more, I lost count), I finally got them right. My freezer is now full of brownies. It’s awesome and very dangerous.
So what’s the secret to that perfect texture and crinkly top?
Real melted chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a good amount of whisked eggs.
The chocolate is obvious, but the whisked eggs? You need those to create that crinkly top. Whisking the eggs prior to mixing them in the brownie batter creates air within the eggs that helps to 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.
While that and all the semi-sweet chocolate…and butter.
YUMMMMMM.
Red has yet to try these brownies, seeing as he’s still in South Korea, but I’m feeling pretty confident that he’s going to love them.
Speaking of Red, he is competing one last time tonight in Men’s Snowboard Big Air, alongside two of his USA teammates, Kyle Mack and Chris Corning. Kyle is a super close friend of the family, who’s honestly almost like another brother. Pretty excited for the both of them, but I have my fingers crossed for Kyle on this one, as Big Air is much more his event. Make sure to watch tonight at 8pm EST on NBC!
Annnddddd with that, I’m thinking these brownies are the perfect chocolate treat to eat while cheering the boys on.
Lastly, if you make these Crinkle Top 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!
Crinkle Top Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper.2. In the microwave, melt together the butter and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (stir at 30 second intervals) until melted and smooth. Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and instant coffee. 3. In a small bowl whisk the eggs for 1 minute until bubbly on top. Stir the eggs into the chocolate mix. Add the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Stir until just combined. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips.3. Evenly spread the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until the brownies are just set. Let cool (or not) and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
The BEST, enough said.
Does it matter if we use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Hey there,
Unsalted butter will be just fine to use! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Wow! My husband said these are the best brownies I’ve ever made. I made a batch yesterday for him to take to friends, so today I’m making another batch for us. Fudgey, chocolatey – what else do you need! Thanks Tieghan.
Hey Sandie,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
OH MY GOD!!! You are the BROWNIE QUEEN. I’m so glad that today I came across your Instagram Handle and I was absolutely mouthwatering just watching all the delicious food on your gram then I seen your link and I couldn’t help myself but sign up and start saving some recipes to my favourites! I was feeling in the mood to bake and realised I haven’t found the perfect brownie just yet.. then I remembered I signed up to your website and that is how I came across this absolutely lip smacking brownie recipe it has been the best brownie I have made so far and I’m absolutely proud of it. Thank you so much for sharing your delicious recipes for everyone to try!
Hey Kaelah,
LOL Love it!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
I can’t believe I haven’t left a review for these absolutely amazing brownies yet! I make these once a month (if i’m honest, maybe twice a month haha!) and they turn out amazing every single time. I truly do think the key to the crinkle top, is really whipping those eggs into submission for a few minutes. Thanks so much Tieghan! 😀
Hey Alicia,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
These turned out so well! Gooey, crunchy top, not overly sweet. A total hit in my house!
Hey Bianca,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xT
I make box brownies with my three kids frequently on Friday afternoons…we tried these to fancy it up a little when taking some to friends. NEVER GOING BACK! Simple & perfect. All ingredients that I always have on hand. Just YUM.
Hey Robbie,
Fantastic!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
Best Brownies Ever! I struggle with desserts (I prefer savory food) but these brownies are simply AMAZING! Greetings from Mexico City!
Hi Andrea,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
Hello! What type of baking dishes do you typically use for these?
Hey Annie,
I use a metal 9×13 baking pan. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Where should I place the baking dish inside the oven?
Hi Andrea,
The middle rack is great! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
These brownies are off the charts! I didn’t add the last 1/2 cup of chips and still plenty sweet! Delicious !!
Hey Melanie,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great day:) xxT
After MANY recipe tests, this has become our family’s favorite brownie. Our 6 year old even asked for these for her birthday dessert, rather than cake- party brownie bar. Thank you!
Hey Bethany,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
This is so far the best brownies recipe that I’ve tried. I changed the sugar a little bit. So I used both granulated sugar and brown sugar. I don’t have any espresso in the moment, but can’t wait to try this recipe with it. I also didn’t add chocolate chips to the final batter (don’t have enough). This brownie is crispy and chewy on the outside, fudgy on the inside but not too dense, so chocolatey. Just addictive! Thank you for the recipe!
Hey there,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it. Have the best week:) xT
I made these today with my girls. They were delicious. New fan here, have been doing a few of your recipes these last few weeks.
Hi Laura,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am glad to hear that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan
I’ve made these brownies all the time when living in FL and they were amazing. I now live in WY and can’t seem to get them to be the same consistency! They’re also so gooey. I added in 1/2 more of flour and still the same results.
Any suggestions?
Thank you!!
Hey Christina,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear it was enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your comment! Have you tried just following the recipe as is and increasing your baking time? xTieghan
These are AMAZING and easy to make. My 10 year old made them. We used milk chocolate chips….soooooo good!!
Hi Fran,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Can I omit the coffee?
Hey Laura,
Yes, you can skip the instant coffee. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
I made these today and they are very fudge and very good. My top didn’t make a paper like crinkle, instead the top just sort of cracked. I beat the eggs until they had bubbles on the top as you instructed. I did use black cocoa, could that have altered the top crinkle?
Thanks for a great recipe.
Hey there,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, the only trick I have for the crinkle top is whisking the eggs like crazy. xTieghan
When I use the KitchenAid to whisk the eggs. Is it 1 minute at full speed?
Made them several times, so good!
Hi Barbara,
I always whisk by hand:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT