Cupcakes, cake pops and cinnamon rolls all have their time and place, but when you want a truly satisfying dessert that also happens to be incredibly easy to make, nothing beats a rich and chocolaty brownie.
Celebrate National Chocolate Brownie Day on Dec. 8 by whipping up one of these deliciously decadent creations.
Whether you like your brownies basic or infused with unexpected flavors, here are 25 brownie recipes to take care of that chocolate fix sooner rather than later.
Samah Dada says that adding avocado to brownies was "one of the better decisions" she's made in life. The creamy stone fruit acts as a butter or oil replacement, adding moistness to the chocolatey brownies, without you even knowing what is happening.
Another way to sneak a little nutrition into this decadent dessert — or breakfast (hey, we're into it!) — is to blend in chickpeas. These brownies are fudgy and super easy to make because the batter comes together in a blender.
This dish makes the list not only for the novelty factor (though that's what makes it extra fun to serve at a party!) but also, and more than anything, for the perfect sweet and savory combination it offers with aged cheddar, rich chocolate and a little sea salt.
Luckily National Brownie Day is in December because this wintry combo of cool mint and rich chocolate, blended together and served chilled, is just too hard to resist.
Finally, a worthy use (other than chocolate milk, of course) for that chocolate syrup that's been hanging in your fridge for what seems like an eternity! These brownies satisfy chocolate cravings — fast.
These brownies can be summed up in three words: chocolate, chocolate and chocolate! The best part about them? You don't even have to get out the mixer.
Think it's hard to make salted caramel brownies from scratch? Think again! It couldn't be simpler. The final result is an irresistibly sweet and slightly savory combination.
"The combination of rich dark chocolate and spicy heat has long been one of my favorites. I usually switch it up, using ground spices like cayenne, chipotle, ginger, cinnamon and even black pepper," says Alejandra Ramos.
A hidden layer of sweet, gooey caramel and a crunchy pretzel topping takes these brownies over the top.
"I haven't met a soul who doesn't love the combination of the saltiness of bacon and potato chips with the sweet decadence of chocolate. These brownies are one of my most requested desserts to take to a party or covered dish supper," says Trisha Yearwood.
The use of this yeasty, salty condiment in a brownie is surprising, but it brings a complex depth of flavor to this classic sweet treat. The soy sauce amplifies the chocolaty flavors, bringing a rich caramel glow. The taste very much resembles salted caramel.
What sets these brownies apart from all other brownies is their unparalleled chewiness. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that crushed Oreos are baked right into the batter, either.
Nigella Lawson makes these addictive brownies with just three ingredients: eggs, sea salt and Nutella (four ingredients if you dust them with sugar before serving).
These decadent caramel brownies come together in a flash because the recipe uses boxed cake mix. If you just can't wait for these brownies to cool, we recommend scooping them into a bowl and topping with ice cream.
The fudgy texture that tahini lends to these brownies is unbelievable. Tahini can sometimes be seen as an unusual ingredient to add to baked goods, but it completely changes the depth of flavor in this sweet treat, undercutting the sugar and balancing out the chocolate.
When it comes to these red velvet brownies, it's all about the frosting. It doesn't get more delicious than a kiss of rich cream cheese frosting on top of velvety, dense brownies.
The only thing better than brownies is marshmallow and pecan filled brownies covered in chocolate icing. It's a recipe reminiscent of Elizabeth Heiskell's Southern roots.
Siri Daly's brownies get a protein and fiber boost from black beans, a secret ingredient nobody will suspect.
Use your slow cooker, brownie mix and chocolate pudding to make these super-rich chocolate brownies.
Billy Dec's recipe proves that with just a few simple pantry staples, you can made delicious homemade brownies at home that will blow away any boxed mix.
This version of black bean brownies from Fit Men Cook's Kevin Curry is also gluten-free!
Spice up your brownies with a hit of smoky chipotle powder.
Use vegetables as an ingredient in foods kids already like — for instance, these super-fudgy beet brownies. The root vegetable's natural sweetness lets you use a bit less sugar, and together with whole-wheat pastry flour, it bumps up the fiber.
These over-the-top brownies from Elise Strachan of "My Cupcake Addiction" are made with layers of rich chocolate brownie batter, creamy cheesecake and cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies.
Stuff chocolate caramel brownies with Twix bars for an extra delicious treat.