Brownie Recipes That Chocolate Lovers Will Be Swooning Over

For chocolate fans, one thing's for sure: there's nothing better than a brownie. Rich and fudgy with a meltingly rich interior and a crispy crust, a brownie can be at once a homey, nostalgic experience and an elevated, gourmet experience perfect for a special occasion date night or soirée.

For a dessert so many love, there are divisive debates surrounding the world of brownies. One prominent one is whether to use cocoa or chocolate as the base. According to The Kitchn, the former tends to be softer and more chocolatey, while the latter boasts a chewier texture. Other disagreements exist as well: Do you add flavorings and mix-ins like mint, orange, nuts, or spices, or do you leave well enough alone? And perhaps the most divisive: are you a center brownie or corner piece lover?

Luckily, when you're making brownies at home, you don't have to choose: We've got a brownie recipe for every taste, and you can sample a middle and a corner square from each and every one, until your brownie allegiances are perfectly clear. (For science!)

Look, we get it. Everyone from Katherine Hepburn to Alice B. Toklas to your next door neighbor Judith says their brownie is the best. But trust us: this no-nonsense classic brownie recipe really is the be-all and end-all when it comes to simple brownie perfection. 

This classic brownie batter stars with chocolate chips, a portion of which are melted into the butter to form the rich, dense, fudgy batter. The remaining chips are folded into the batter before baking for gooey chocolate pockets throughout each piece. It just doesn't get any better. 

(Or does it?)

It's hard to think of a better vehicle for Nutella than a spoon directly transporting it from point A (the jar) to point B (your mouth), but if you're willing to trust us for just a moment, we do believe we can do you one better. This three-ingredient Nutella brownie recipe only calls for flour and eggs in addition to the addictive Italian chocolate-hazelnut spread, but it somehow elevates Nutella beyond cult status to dessert nirvana.

As written, this brownie recipe delivers fudgy, gooey brownies with the faintest hint of earthy hazelnut. But they're kicked up yet another notch if you permit yourself a fourth ingredient: a pinch of salt to balance out all that sweetness.

You've heard of a brookie, but what about a different mashup between cookie and brownie? This dessert cookie-stuffed-candy-bar-stuffed-brownie is a dessert turducken, of sorts, and we're here for it. In this brownie recipe, a cocoa powder-based brownie batter is sweetened with both granulated and brown sugar for added moisture. Chocolate chips get folded into the mix before half of the batter is spread out in a baking dish and topped with — get this — Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme bars. Topped with the remaining brownie batter and baked, these brownies emerge rich and decadent. They also boast one of the most gorgeous brownie cross-sections you ever did see.

We had to do it. After all, just because you're on a low-carb diet, that doesn't mean you're not craving dessert! And these brownies perfectly walk the line between being slightly healthier than most and still being sweet and delicious.

These low-carb brownies are made with a protein-rich almond flour base, which reduces the carb count significantly and also lends a dense texture akin to that of a flourless chocolate cake (which this... kind of is?). Loaded with cocoa powder and a totally reasonable amount of butter and sugar (we said low-carb, not no-carb, okay?), these brownies will make it easy to stick with your low-carb commitment.

For a fun Halloween cooking project to craft with your kids, why not give these these ghost-topped brownies a whirl? The brownie base is fairly simple, falling into the cocoa powder camp. Dotted with white chocolate chips, the brownies are delicious on their own — but they're even better, and far more festive, when topped with cute marshmallow ghosts. 

To make this seasonal topping, place a marshmallow on each brownie and coat in a thick, vanilla-scented icing. Use edible gel pen to draw funny or spooky faces on the ghosts before serving.

When you know you want a brownie but you also know you don't want to devour the whole pan (and who's got the willpower to have just one brownie when you've got a whole pan lying around?) this mug brownie recipe is your best friend. Made with a combo of both cocoa powder and chocolate chips, this ultra decadent brownie cooks up quickly in the microwave, so it's never more than ten minutes away.

Want to make this mug brownie extra decadent? While it's still hot, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy.

Papa John's may be best known for its pizza, but did you know the chain also makes a delicious double chocolate chip brownie to share? These brownies are baked to order and overflowing with chocolate chips for a rich dessert perfect for any chocoholic. And lucky for you, this Papa John's brownie copycat recipe helps you achieve the same thing at home.

These brownies afford a cake-like texture on the outside to counter the dense, moist interior — the best of both worlds. On their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, they're sure to conquer the hearts of everyone at your dinner table.