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The BEST Crinkle Top Brownies.
Watch the How To Video:
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 chocolatey, 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 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
Servings: 20 brownies
Calories Per Serving: 252 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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 9x13 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
*For extra thick brownies, bake them in a 9x9 inch square baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes.
The BEST, enough said.
These are insanely delicious and so simple to make! I love how the recipe uses simple ingredients like chocolate chips and cocoa and not baking chocolate etc. thank you for another fabulous recipe!
Hey Archana,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear that it was a hit! xx
These are great but wow she wasn’t kidding about extra thick in a 9×9. It’s like a cake! Definitely will do the bigger pan next time.
Hey Olivia,
Amazing!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! Yes, try the 9×13 pan! xx
I’ve made this recipe several times. It’s by far the best brownies ever. I will never buy box brownies again.
Hey Heather,
Happy Sunday!!🌸 Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a winner! xT
Heather, I also love this recipe and have made it many times. I’ve got a ½ recipe baking right now to take to dinner tonight as a surprise!
Hi Terrill,
Wonderful!!🍀 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for trying it out:)
Hi! Is there a replacement for instant coffee? I only have normal coffee grounds!
Hi Samantha,
You can either use the instant coffee or just skip it, regular coffee grounds don’t work the same way:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Best brownies ever. I’ve tried a bunch of different recipes (trying to be economical, because this does use quite a bit of chocolate lol) but I always come back to this one! The crinkle top is really IT. 10/10.
Hey Livia,
I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m thrilled to hear that it turned out well for you! Have a great weekend! xx
I’m making these tonight for a pot luck tomorrow. If I use a brownie bite pan instead of a 9×13, how much time should I give them?
Hey Alex,
So sorry, I’m really not familiar with using a brownie bite pan, I would say on the size to start checking for doneness at 15 minutes. I hope you love this recipe! xx
I made these in the brownie bundt pan you recommended for another cake recipe! They came out decadently delicious and so cute!! Thank you!!
Hey Annette,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)
Made the seas a birthday dessert for my husbands birthday. The family loved then! My 9 yr old daughter requested them for her birthday instead of cake. These brownies were so easy to make, I will never buy store bought brownie mix again.
Hey Kristen,
Happy Monday!! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well! Happy Birthday to your daughter!! xT
So easy and delicious even without the instant coffee. I love this recipe!
Hey Reagan,
I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! Have a great weekend:)
I was looking for a brownie recipe with a crinkle top and came across this one. I knew it would be great since all HBH recipes that I have made have never disappointed me. I didn’t have instant coffee granules, so I used a tablespoon of very strong brewed coffee and I had a combination of dark and semi sweet chocolate chips. Well, let me tell you, these brownies are everything I was looking for and more! Sooooo chocolaty and the crinkle top is just what I set out to find. Thank you your wonderful recipes! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Hey Jaimee,
Happy Sunday!!🌸 Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a winner! xT
If I cook these in a 9×13, how much longer do you think I should cook them for? I’ve made these INCREDIBLE brownies multiple times and just realized you make these in a sheet pan and that’s why mine turn out extra gooey every time since a 9×13 is deeper and it probably is needing to cook longer
Hey Lilly,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! I use a 9×13 baking pan, these are meant to be super gooey:) Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
Okay, I think I screwed up. They are okay. But they are greasy. I spooned the flour and cocoa into the cup. I also used bittersweet bc it’s what I had. Should I have not spooned the flour?
Hey Mel,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear you had some issues! I just scoop my measuring cup and level with a knife. What kind of baking pan did you use? Let me know how I can help! xx
OMG so good
Thanks so much Susan!!
These are amazing. They’re my go-to for any potluck or event where I need to bring a dessert. They’re a hit every time. The instant coffee is a game changer.
Hey Julia,
Happy Friday!!❄️🧑🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Hi Teighan!
Do you think this would work out to substitue the regular flour with almond flour?
Hey Gina,
I would recommend using an equal amount of gluten free flour. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Hey Tieghan,
The reason I asked about almond flour is that my family and I eat paleo, so most gluten free substitutes don’t work for us because they contain rice flour. Flours I often use are almond, coconut, tapioca, or arrowroot. I’ve never bought cassava but I know it’s also an option. I know that the extra fat and moisture content affects the recipe but I’ve yet to find the perfect paleo brownie. So if you did have any thoughts on subbing out the flour in this, I’d appreciate it otherwise I might just try the substitute with an almond flour/Tampico flour blend!
Ahhh gotcha!! So I’ve never tested this with almond flour, but you could certainly give it a try! You might also want to try this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/extra-fudgy-ricotta-brownies/
I hope this helps! xx
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Hello, I’m going to make your crinkle brownies today, my question may I add walnuts, if so when and how much? Thank you Pauline
Hi Pauline,
Sure, I would add them at the end of step 3 and add as much as you like:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
These are delicious! How far in advance can you make them and store at room temperature?
Hey Katherine,
Wonderful!!🎄 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and sharing your review! These are good for up to 1 week. xx
So I love these brownies – I wanted to make a gluten free version for a friend – is there a certain kind of alternative flour you would recommend? Thanks!
Hey there,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe is always enjoyed:) You can use an equal amount of gluten free flour, that will work well for you! xx