The key to making the best homemade brownies is using high-quality ingredients and following a few simple tips. For the chocolate, choose a bar with at least 60-70% cocoa for an intense chocolatey flavor. As for the flour, all-purpose flour works great and gives the brownies a classic cakey texture.

For extra chocolatey brownies, add chocolate chips. Semi-sweet chips melt into the batter, adding little bursts of chocolate with each bite. You can also add other mix-ins like chopped nuts, crushed toffee or candies, dried fruit, or crushed cookies. Just stir them in at the end of mixing the batter.

To get fudgy brownies, under-mix the batter. Mix just until the ingredients come together, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, making the brownies tough and cake-like instead of fudgy. Also, let the brownies cool completely before cutting for fudgier results.

For the butter, use unsalted butter for the best flavor. Salted butter will make the brownies too salty. For oil, canola or vegetable oil work well and produce fudgy brownies. Avoid olive oil which can impart a strong flavor.

To boost the chocolate flavor, add a bit of espresso powder or coffee. The coffee enhances the chocolate without making the brownies taste like coffee. Start with 1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso powder and add more to taste.

For chewier brownies, use dark brown sugar instead of granulated sugar. Packed brown sugar has more moisture than granulated sugar, resulting in chewier brownies. You can also add an extra egg yolk which provides more structure.

To make the brownies extra fudgy, under-bake them slightly. Check on the brownies about 5 minutes before the recommended baking time. The center should still be wobbly – it will continue to firm up as it cools. Be very careful not to overbake the brownies or they can become dry.

Allow the brownies to cool completely, at least 2-3 hours, before cutting and serving. This allows the brownies to set up and makes them easier to cut into perfect squares. It also allows the chocolate chips and other mix-ins to solidify, so they don’t spill out when you cut into the brownies.

For an optional topping, spread your favorite frosting, caramel, or chocolate ganache over the cooled brownies. Or, keep it simple with a sprinkling of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts. A drizzle of melted chocolate or salted caramel also makes a great topping.

To store brownies, keep them in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Brownies can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Enjoy!