Skillet Brownies

Elevate your dessert game by learning how to make skillet brownies. These delicious, melt-in-your-mouth brownies are the ideal texture—fudgy and moist—and boast a perfectly rich, chocolaty flavor. Top them with fresh strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream or a healthy scoop of homemade ice cream, and you’ve got a winning dessert on your hands.

Ingredients for Skillet Brownies

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• Sugar: Beating the sugar with the butter until fluffy will help give your brownies a nice crackly crust.
• Butter: Melted butter, not oil, is ideal for achieving a soft, fudgy finish.
• Eggs: Eggs help bind the other ingredients, adding stability and structure. It’s best to use room temperature eggs when baking, so as to improve the texture of your baked good.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla does an excellent job of enhancing the flavor notes of chocolate.
• All-purpose flour: Be careful not to add too much flour, as this will make for dry, stale-tasting brownies (here’s how to accurately measure flour).
• Baking cocoa: Using baking cocoa helps ensure these brownies aren’t too rich (which they would be if you were using melted chocolate).
• Pecans: Chopped pecans add texture and a nutty, toasted taste that pairs well with the other flavors.
• Ice cream, whipped cream or strawberries (optional): Take your pick from one of these tasty toppings, or use a combination of them atop this brownie pie recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and vanilla, and mix well. Then add the flour, cocoa and salt. Stir in the nuts.

Step 2: Bake the brownies

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Pour the mixture into a greased 9-inch pie pan or ovenproof skillet. Bake the brownies until they’re almost set, 25 to 30 minutes. If desired, top with ice cream, whipped cream or strawberries before serving.

Laura Scherb for Taste of Home

Skillet Brownie Variations

• Substitute pecans for other chopped nuts: Feel free to use another type of nut here, like walnuts or cashews.
• Add espresso powder: A bit of espresso powder provides a slight coffee flavor to these brownies.

How to Store Skillet Brownies

Let the brownies cool completely before cutting them into squares for storage. Then, you can store them on the counter in an airtight container for up to two days. In the refrigerator, they’ll last up to five days, and in the freezer, up to three months.

Can you make skillet brownies ahead of time?

Yes, you can make skillet brownies ahead of time. Store the whole, uncut pan of brownies in the freezer, wrapped in both plastic wrap and foil (or cut them into individual pieces and store them in an airtight, freezer-safe container). When you’re ready, thaw them in the refrigerator and warm them up in the oven before serving.

Skillet Brownie Tips

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How do I make sure these brownies have the right texture?

Use melted butter and room-temperature eggs during the mixing process, and whip the eggs until they’re light and fluffy to achieve a moist, fudgy texture in your chocolate brownie pie.

How can I tell when my brownies are done?

Aside from adhering to this recipe’s cooking time, you can tell that these brownies are done when the edges look visibly baked through and the center is completely set (as in, it doesn’t wiggle when you shake the pan).

Can I make skillet brownies vegan?

Yes. You’ll just need to substitute in vegan butter, ground flax instead of eggs and non-dairy chocolate.