I’ve been in the mood to make desserts lately. The problem is I can never leave a recipe exactly as I find it. I happened upon a recipe for “Kentucky Derby Brownies” in an issue of Family Circle magazine. I planned to make them exactly as the recipe said. Really, I did. Then, I realized I didn’t have some of the ingredients. “No problem,” I thought, “I’ll experiment.” The result was this mouth-watering fudge brownie recipe. Whether you call them “fudge brownies” or “Kentucky Derby Brownies,” they’re delicious.
The Best Fudge Brownie Recipe
These brownies are moist, thick, and dense. I think, if baked in two cake pans instead of a 9″ by 9″ baking dish, they’d be the perfect base for an ice cream cake. It makes me one to experiment to see what I could come up with! This can be a scary thing for my family. My kids sometimes poke at the dish before they try it. “What’s in it?” they ask, suspiciously, no doubt imaging I’ve included hidden vegetables. This is when I share with them that I have never made them broccoli popsicles like another mom I know. You have to draw the line somewhere.
Printable Recipe
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 (12-ounce) package milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- For the walnut mixture:
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons Scotch (or bourbon)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar (or granulated sugar)
- Make the Walnut Mixture First.
- ) Place walnuts in a small bowl.
- Add sugar and scotch. Stir until walnuts are coated.
- Allow walnuts to sit for 30 minutes.
- To Make Brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Place butter and chocolate chips in a medium saucepan.
- Melt chocolate chip mixture over medium heat until chips are melted, stirring constantly.
- Remove chocolate mixture from heat.
- Add vanilla, salt, and eggs. Stir until mixture is blended.
- Stir in flour until completely blended.
- Add the walnut mixture. Stir until blended.
- Pour the mixture into a 9″ by 9″ baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until outer edges are firm but inside is still soft.
Baking Hints
*You can make these gluten-free by omitting the regular flour and substituting gluten-free flour. You’ll also have to omit the scotch or bourbon. Either soak the walnuts in rum or just toast them and use them plain.
*These can be made into blondies by omitting the milk chocolate chips and using a 12-ounce bag of white chocolate chips.
*I used Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla sugar in the walnut mixture, but you can use regular granulated sugar if you prefer.
*Be sure to remove the brownies from the oven when the middle is still a little soft. They’ll firm up quickly.
*I used walnuts because they are cheaper than pecans in our area. If you prefer, you can use pecans or even macadamia nuts.
*You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips for the milk chocolate chips if you prefer a brownie that’s less sweet.
I’ve passed these along to neighbors, family, and friends. They make great treats for potlucks, after-school snacks, and any time you need a little sweet treat. What is your favorite fudge brownie recipe?
You Might Like These Posts:
3 Ingredient Gluten Free Rocky Road Fudge Recipe
These fudge brownie bites look delicious. I’ll have to pin it for later. We’re hosting a summer birthday party and these would be perfect.
Those fudge brownies look so yum, wow I would love this for dessert tonight.
Fudge brownies sound so good right now. The perfect after dinner dessert.
This fudge brownie recipe looks so good! I’m always down to try a new recipe for brownies!
This would be a fun recipe to make with my daughter. The kids like it when we buy fudge, and it would be nice to try making our own at home.
My kids would love to make this they are into brownies more than I am so this would get them learning the kitchen a bit more. We will try it out this Summer as one of their weekly projects
It should be illegal to show such delicious brownies on pictures!!! Lol. I’m just drooling here. Another winning recipe on my list!
Thanks for the baking tips. I am working on going gluten free. I don’t want to miss out on brownies!
These brownies will be great to have on hand this week! They look amazingly delicious!
Those fudge brownies look amazing. I love both brownies and fudge, so I bet this recipe is delicious. I’m definitely going to have to make these sometime.
Those made me swallow hard. How gorgeous and delicious they look! I’m saving for future reference.
I only get to eat fudge brownies during the Holiday season. Now I want some after seeing your post. 🙂 Yum!
I’m a big fan of brownies and this one looks simply incredible. A warm brownie with some cool whip or vanilla ice cream sounds heavenly.
I’m a sucker for a good brownie and this one looks like sheer perfection. I can almost imagine pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – delicious!
These fudge brownies look amazing. Totally drooling over these. Would love to give this recipe a try.
These little fudge brownies look so decadent and delightful! I want to reach right through my screen and snag one! Yum. Yum.
Yes please. I just love brownies. I normally make mine from a box, so I’ll be trying this recipe for sure.
Oh my goodness these look absolutely incredible. I have to admit I LOVE a good brownie and these sound like they would be extra delicious to eat.
Your fudge brownies look amazing. I love it when I sub some of the ingredients in a recipe and come up with a big hit. These brownies would be scarfed down in no time at my house.