21 Best Brownie Recipes

Brownies are the perfect dessert when you need something chocolatey and rich but don’t want to mess with layer cakes or fancy stuff. They’re forgiving to make and almost always turn out good even if you’re not great at baking. These 21 recipes give you options from super fudgy to more cake-like, plus lots of mix-ins and flavors. Most brownies actually taste better the day after you make them when the flavors have time to develop.

Classic Fudgy Brownies

These are the gold standard – dense, rich, and so fudgy they’re almost like eating chocolate candy. The secret is using more chocolate and less flour than cake-style brownies. Don’t overbake them or they’ll lose that gooey center. The top should look set but still be slightly shiny when you pull them out. These are perfect on their own but also great with vanilla ice cream if you want to get fancy. Every chocolate lover needs this recipe in their back pocket. Get the recipe here.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Brownies

These hit the sweet spot between fudgy and cakey with a texture that’s dense but not too heavy. The chocolate chips add extra chocolate bursts and a bit of texture contrast. Some recipes use both cocoa powder and melted chocolate for deeper flavor. The key is not overmixing once you add the flour or they get tough. These are crowd-pleasers that work for bake sales, potlucks, or just having around the house when you need a chocolate fix. Get the recipe here.

Salted Caramel Brownies

The combo of rich chocolate and sweet-salty caramel is amazing. You can swirl store-bought caramel sauce into the batter before baking or layer it between two brownie layers. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before they cool makes them extra special. The salt cuts through the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor pop more. These look fancy but aren’t much harder than regular brownies. Perfect for impressing people without too much extra work. Get the recipe here.

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Chocolate and peanut butter is always a winning combo. These have rich chocolate brownies with ribbons of peanut butter swirled throughout. Some recipes add peanut butter chips too for extra peanut flavor. The trick is warming the peanut butter slightly so it swirls easily through the batter. These are more filling than regular brownies because of the protein in the peanut butter. Great for satisfying serious chocolate-peanut butter cravings. Get the recipe here.

Double Chocolate Brownies

For serious chocolate addicts, these use both cocoa powder and chocolate chips or chunks. Some recipes include melted chocolate in the batter too for triple chocolate action. The texture is usually fudgy and intensely chocolatey. Don’t expect these to be sweet – they’re more about deep, rich chocolate flavor. These are perfect when regular chocolate desserts just aren’t chocolatey enough for you. Serve with something neutral like vanilla ice cream to balance the intensity. Get the recipe here.

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

The tangy cream cheese swirled through these balances the rich chocolate perfectly. The cream cheese mixture usually has sugar and an egg added to make it smooth and sweet. Some recipes add vanilla extract to the cream cheese for extra flavor. The swirls look pretty when you cut the brownies and the contrast in flavors is really good. These are a step up from plain brownies but still easy enough for weekend baking. Get the recipe here.

Espresso Brownies

The coffee flavor in these doesn’t make them taste like coffee dessert – it just makes the chocolate taste deeper and richer. You can use instant espresso powder, strong brewed coffee, or even leftover coffee. The caffeine content is pretty low since it’s mixed with all the other ingredients. These have a more grown-up flavor that’s less sweet than regular brownies. Perfect for coffee lovers or when you want something sophisticated but still easy to make. Get the recipe here.

Rocky Road Brownies

These have all the good stuff from rocky road ice cream – chocolate brownies loaded with marshmallows, nuts (usually walnuts or pecans), and sometimes chocolate chips too. The marshmallows get slightly golden on top and stay gooey inside. Add the marshmallows and nuts in the last few minutes of baking so they don’t burn. These are fun and messy to eat which makes them great for kids’ parties or casual gatherings. Get the recipe here.

Brown Butter Brownies

Browning the butter takes a few extra minutes but adds this amazing nutty flavor that makes these taste way more complex. You cook the butter until it gets golden brown and smells fantastic. Let it cool slightly before adding to the batter or it’ll cook the eggs. The flavor is subtle but makes a big difference – these taste like something from a fancy bakery. Worth the extra step when you want to elevate regular brownies without much extra work. Get the recipe here.

S’mores Brownies

These capture all the flavors of campfire s’mores in brownie form. They usually have a graham cracker crust, chocolate brownie layer, and marshmallows on top. Some recipes add chocolate chips for extra chocolate. The marshmallows get toasted under the broiler for that authentic s’mores look. These are fun for summer parties or anytime you want that nostalgic campfire flavor without actually making a fire. Kids go crazy for these. Get the recipe here.

Red Velvet Brownies

These have the distinctive red color and slight tang of red velvet cake but in dense brownie form. The red color comes from food coloring and there’s usually a bit of vinegar or buttermilk for tang. Some recipes include a cream cheese frosting on top which makes them extra special. The flavor is milder and less intensely chocolate than regular brownies. These look impressive with their bright red color and are perfect for Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Get the recipe here.

Turtle Brownies with Caramel and Pecans

Inspired by turtle candies, these have chocolate brownies topped with caramel and pecans. Some recipes layer the caramel in the middle while others drizzle it on top after baking. The pecans can be mixed in or sprinkled on top – either way they add great crunch. These are rich and decadent, definitely more of a special occasion treat than everyday brownies. Perfect when you want something that feels really indulgent. Get the recipe here.

White Chocolate Raspberry Brownies

The combo of rich chocolate brownies with tart raspberries and sweet white chocolate is amazing. Fresh raspberries work best but frozen are fine too – just don’t thaw them first. The white chocolate chips balance the tart berries perfectly. These look pretty with the red berries and white chocolate against the dark brownie. More elegant than most brownies which makes them good for brunches or dinner parties. Get the recipe here.

Gluten-Free Almond Flour Brownies

These use almond flour instead of regular flour which makes them naturally gluten-free and gives them a rich, dense texture. The almond flour adds moisture and a subtle nutty flavor that works well with chocolate. These don’t taste “alternative” – they’re just good brownies that happen to be gluten-free. They’re also higher in protein than regular brownies because of the almond flour. Great for accommodating different dietary needs without sacrificing taste. Get the recipe here.

Mint Chocolate Brownies

These taste like those thin mint cookies in brownie form. The mint flavor usually comes from peppermint extract – start with a little since it’s strong. Some recipes add crushed mint cookies or chocolate chips for extra texture. The combination of rich chocolate and cool mint is refreshing and not too heavy. These are perfect around the holidays but mint chocolate fans will love them anytime. The mint flavor keeps them from being too rich. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Swirl Brownies

Nutella swirled through chocolate brownies is basically heaven for anyone who loves that hazelnut-chocolate combo. Warm the Nutella slightly so it swirls easily through the batter without clumping. Some recipes use Nutella in place of some of the chocolate for even more hazelnut flavor. The swirls look pretty when you cut the brownies and add another layer of flavor. These are rich and indulgent but so worth it for special occasions. Get the recipe here.

Bourbon Brownies

The bourbon adds a warm, slightly smoky flavor that works surprisingly well with chocolate. Most of the alcohol cooks off so these are fine for everyone to eat. Don’t use expensive bourbon – the cheaper stuff works fine for baking. Some recipes include a bourbon glaze on top for extra flavor. These have a more sophisticated taste that’s perfect for adult gatherings. The bourbon flavor is subtle but makes these taste more complex than regular brownies. Get the recipe here.

Coconut Brownies

Adding coconut flakes gives these great texture and tropical flavor that pairs well with chocolate. Some recipes use coconut oil instead of butter and coconut milk for triple coconut action. The coconut on top gets toasted in the oven which adds another flavor dimension. These are a nice change when you want something different but still chocolatey. The coconut makes them feel lighter even though they’re still rich brownies. Get the recipe here.

Oreo Brownies

These have crushed Oreo cookies mixed into the batter and sometimes whole cookies pressed into the top. The cookies add crunch and extra chocolate flavor plus that distinctive Oreo taste. Some recipes layer whole cookies between two brownie layers which looks cool when sliced. These are definitely on the sweeter side so they’re more of a treat than everyday brownies. Kids absolutely love these and they’re fun for parties. Get the recipe here.

Blondie Brownies (Butterscotch)

Blondies are like brownies but made with brown sugar instead of chocolate for a butterscotch flavor. They’re usually loaded with white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or nuts. The texture is chewy and dense like brownies but with a completely different flavor profile. These are a nice change when you want something sweet and rich but not chocolate. The brown butter flavor is comforting and nostalgic. My personal favorite when I’m tired of chocolate everything. Get the recipe here.

Avocado Brownies (Healthier Version)

These might sound weird but the avocado makes them incredibly moist and fudgy while adding healthy fats. You can’t taste the avocado at all – it just replaces some of the butter or oil. These are usually made with less sugar and sometimes include whole wheat flour or oats. They’re not exactly “health food” but they’re better for you than regular brownies. Good for when you want to indulge but feel slightly less guilty about it. Skeptical people are always surprised by how good these taste. Get the recipe here.