Colossal Brownies ~ these easy brownies are lusciously large and decadently dark, because when it comes to chocolate, I say go big, or go home!
Even if this isn’t’ your normal dessert style, sometimes it’s fun to change things up. You’ll get gasps of wide eyed wonder from your audience, I promise.
These super moist brownies help settle the age old debate between cakey and fudgey — they’re the perfect compromise with some nice height and a tender crumb without being dry, and a dense richness without being wet or gooey.
Dutch process cocoa powder makes them extra deep and dark. And did I mention they’re big? You just can’t go wrong 😉
How many of us got our start in the kitchen with a humble batch of brownies? Brownies are so easy I sometimes forget about them, and I just realized that I only have one other brownie recipe on the blog. But it took just one bite of one of these chocolatey squares to remind me that there aren’t too many things in life that can beat a freshly made brownie.
Don’t ever be tempted to buy the boxed mixes, there’s no reason to — a great brownie can be whipped up in a few minutes with ingredients that you always have around.
These brownies are so deep in color because I used a Dutch processed cocoa powder.
Dutched cocoa powder has been treated with alkali, which makes it milder, and darker, than regular. You’ll see both kinds right there on the shelf in your baking aisle. I like to use Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder, which is formulated to give a super deep chocolate result. The only thing you have to remember about Dutched cocoa is that it will not react with baking soda, so you need to use it in recipes that call for baking powder. If a recipe uses baking soda, be sure to use regular cocoa powder. For this recipe you can use any cocoa powder you like because there is no baking soda or baking powder involved.
Just remember this recipe only makes 4 colossal brownies, so plan accordingly (or cut them smaller!)
If you love the look of these Colossal Brownies, I have a feeling you’ll also like my DEATH BY CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD, and my WARM CHOCOLATE PUDDING WITH CHILI SPICED WALNUTS. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you fell head over heels for my DIY FERRERO ROCHER TRUFFLE RECIPE!
Colossal Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup, (2 sticks or 16 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp almond extract, or vanilla
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup dutch-process cocoa powder, I used Hershey's Special Dark
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350F
- Spray a 9x9 square baking sheet with baking spray, and (this is optional) line with parchment paper with overlapping ends so it will be easier to lift out for cutting.
- Cut the butter up into chunks and put it in a large microwave safe mixing bowl. Zap it for a minute in the microwave until the butter is melted.
- Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Add the extract.
- In a separate bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. Sift the cocoa if it has alot of lumps.
- Gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring just until everything is well combined.
- Spread the batter in the pan, and take a moment to even out the surface.
- Bake for about 35-40 minutes, until the brownies are risen, slightly dry along the edges, and a toothpick inserted in the center doesn't have wet batter on it. (Moist crumbs are ok) Don't over-bake.
- Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar. Cut into four large squares.
Don’t forget to pin these Colossal Brownies to your Dessert board!
Just made this recipe. Super good crust at the top, fresh out of the oven. However, we used Hershey’s regular cocoa powder so it did not have the same dark color, which was expected. And maybe that contributed to the sweeter taste. They had a great texture with a crispy, cracked top and light, fluffy inside.
Thanks for checking back in to let us know Ava ~ I use regular cocoa powder, too, when I’m out of the Special Dark (I go through that stuff fast!)
I could not eat more than half of one piece in a single sitting. This is the most ridiculously rich brownie I’ve ever tasted, and I can’t wait to make it again. Too much will definitely make you sick, but it’s so worth it.
As I was reading your comment I wasn’t sure whether you liked them or hated them 😉
I love brownies and these are making my mouth water. I have some black onyx cocoa and I just figure out what I’m going to make with it 🙂
These are going to the top of my must make list!
I can’t get over the color of these brownies. Incredibly dark and luscious. Texture looks great too!
That color is due to the super dark cocoa powder — it’s almost black 🙂
i’ve never used dark cocoa powder, but i need to find some because i LOVE the color of these! the texture part ain’t too shabby either. 🙂
Mouthwatering brownies,looks stunning
So dark, rich and divine! I would love one with a pot of freshly brewed tea.
OMG…could these be any more gorgeous? There isn’t a more appropriate name than “Colossal Brownies”. Seriously, I could eat these all day long! Pinned!
Can you say “decadent”? Nice!! 🙂