Step into a world of rich chocolatey bliss with these sensational **Fat Witch Brownies**. A true masterpiece of dessert perfection, these brownies are renowned for their intensely fudgy texture, deep cocoa flavor, and an aroma that will enchant your entire kitchen. Forget dry, cakey imitations – this recipe delivers the iconic dense, chewy, and utterly decadent experience that brownie aficionados crave. Inspired by the legendary New York City bakery, these homemade “Fat Witch” style brownies allow you to recreate that magical taste right in your own oven. Whether you prefer them plain and pure or loaded with your favorite mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or toffee bits, this recipe is designed to be effortlessly delicious and incredibly satisfying.
Why These Fat Witch Brownies Are a Must-Bake
These aren’t just any brownies; they’re an experience. Here’s why this Fat Witch Brownie recipe deserves a top spot in your baking repertoire:
- Unforgettable Fudgy Texture: From the moment you take your first bite, you’ll understand. These brownies are the epitome of fudgy – dense, incredibly moist, and wonderfully chewy, delivering that melt-in-your-mouth sensation that only a truly exceptional brownie can provide. They are a delightful contrast to their cakey counterparts, focusing entirely on that rich, gooey center.
- A Beloved Copycat Recipe: This recipe is a carefully crafted homage to the famous Fat Witch Bakery in New York City. Known globally for their distinctive, square-shaped, intensely chocolatey brownies, the bakery has inspired countless bakers. Now, you can capture that coveted flavor profile and texture at home, impressing friends and family with a taste of the Big Apple.
- Consistently Rave Reviews: This recipe has stood the test of time, delighting my family for over a decade. First shared in 2010 and revisited multiple times since, these brownies consistently earn enthusiastic praise. There’s a reason this recipe is revisited again and again – it simply delivers.
- Surprisingly Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet taste and appearance, these brownies are remarkably simple to prepare. With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results. The process is quick, enjoyable, and leads to a profoundly rewarding treat.
- Rich, Decadent, and Deeply Satisfying: Made with high-quality bittersweet chocolate and real butter, these brownies boast a deep, complex chocolate flavor that is both intense and perfectly balanced. They are a truly decadent treat, perfect for satisfying serious chocolate cravings or for sharing at special occasions.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Fudgy Brownies
Crafting the perfect fudgy brownie starts with understanding your ingredients. While simple, each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired texture and flavor:
- Quality Butter: I recommend using salted butter, as its slight saltiness helps to balance the sweetness and deepen the chocolate flavor. Good quality butter contributes to the rich, smooth texture of the brownies and ensures a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Bittersweet Chocolate: This is the star of the show. Opt for a high-quality bittersweet chocolate bar, not just chocolate chips. Bittersweet chocolate (typically 60-75% cacao) provides a deep, complex chocolate flavor without being overly sweet, which is essential for that classic “Fat Witch” profile. High-quality bars melt more smoothly and uniformly, resulting in a superior brownie batter. Brands like Ghirardelli are excellent choices and widely available in baking aisles.
- Granulated Sugar: Beyond sweetness, sugar contributes to the moistness and tenderness of the brownies. The amount used here is carefully balanced to complement the bittersweet chocolate, preventing the brownies from being either too bitter or cloyingly sweet.
- Large Eggs: For the best results, ensure your eggs are at room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify more easily with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more cohesive batter. This leads to a more uniform crumb and a perfectly fudgy texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Do not skimp on quality here! Real vanilla extract, like Nielsen-Massey, enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a beautiful aromatic depth. Artificial vanilla simply won’t yield the same rich and nuanced taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: Use standard all-purpose flour. The precise measurement of flour is key to a fudgy brownie; too much flour can lead to a cakey texture. Sifting the flour helps prevent lumps and ensures it incorporates smoothly into the batter.
- Fine Salt: Just a pinch of salt is vital. It acts as a flavor enhancer, intensifying the chocolate and balancing the sweetness. Without it, the brownies might taste flat.
- Optional Add-ins: While truly magnificent on their own, these brownies are also incredibly versatile. Consider adding nuts (walnuts, pecans), chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white), toffee bits (like chopped Heath bars), or even dried cherries for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Fat Witch Brownies
Baking these fudgy Fat Witch Brownies is a straightforward process, designed for delicious success. Follow these steps for an irresistible homemade treat:
Expert Tips for the Best Fudgy Brownies
Achieving bakery-quality brownies at home is easier than you think with a few simple tricks:
- Choose Your Chocolate Wisely: For the ultimate depth of flavor, always opt for a bittersweet chocolate bar over chocolate chips for melting into the batter. Chocolate bars typically contain fewer stabilizers and melt more smoothly, creating a richer, silkier brownie. Keep good quality Ghirardelli or similar bars in your pantry for whenever a brownie craving strikes. If chocolate chips are your only option, weigh out 4 ounces for accuracy, and ensure they are good quality.
- Don’t Skimp on Vanilla: Real vanilla extract is crucial. I recommend upping the vanilla a bit, perhaps from 1 teaspoon to 1 ½ teaspoons, as it profoundly enhances the chocolate flavor without making the brownies taste like vanilla. This small adjustment makes a big difference.
- Personalize with Add-ins: Brownies are incredibly versatile. In my first batch, I chopped a Heath bar and added it to half of the brownies for a delightful toffee crunch. You can also incorporate walnuts, pecans, different kinds of chocolate chips (white, milk, dark), or even dried fruits like cherries or cranberries for an added layer of texture and taste. Remember to fold them in gently to ensure even distribution.
- Cool Completely for Perfect Slices: This is arguably the most important tip for fudgy brownies. Allow them to cool *completely* in the pan on a wire rack. Warm brownies are delicate and difficult to cut cleanly; cooling allows them to set and firm up, resulting in those perfect, dense, fudgy squares you desire. For extra clean cuts, use a sharp knife wiped clean between each slice.
- Serving Suggestions: These Fat Witch Brownies are phenomenal on their own. For an indulgent dessert, serve a warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce to create an elegant brownie sundae. For smaller, satisfying bites, cut them into more modest squares, perfect for mid-day chocolate cravings or as part of a dessert platter.
- Storage and Freshness: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their fudgy texture. For longer storage, they can be tightly wrapped and frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brownies
Fat Witch Brownies refer to the popular, intensely fudgy, and dense brownies originating from the renowned Fat Witch Bakery in New York City’s Chelsea Market. They are known for their rich chocolate flavor and signature texture. The bakery offers a wide variety of brownies, which can also be ordered through their online store, making them a famous treat both locally and nationwide.
The primary indicator lies in the fat-to-flour ratio and the presence of leavening agents. A fudgy brownie recipe will typically have a higher ratio of fat (butter or oil) to flour, often with little to no leavening (like baking powder). This creates a dense, moist, and chewy texture. Conversely, a cakey brownie recipe will contain more flour than fat and usually includes a leavening agent, resulting in a lighter, airier, and more crumbly cake-like consistency.
To maintain their ultimate fudginess and flavor, store your Fat Witch Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. You can also place parchment paper between layers if stacking them.
Absolutely! These brownies freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, wrap individual brownies or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for several hours before serving for a perfectly fudgy treat.
A light-colored metal baking pan (like aluminum) is generally recommended for brownies as it conducts heat evenly and prevents the edges from over-browning too quickly. A 9×9-inch square pan is ideal for this recipe. Glass or dark metal pans can sometimes lead to darker, crispier edges, so adjust baking time if using those.
Explore More Delicious Brownie Recipes
If you adore brownies as much as we do, you’ll love exploring these other incredible recipes:
- Fudge Topped Brownies
- Simple Fudgy Brownies
- Ganache Topped Truffle Brownies
- Plus, don’t miss all my favorite Brownie Recipes for endless chocolate inspiration!
There’s something truly special about a homemade treat waiting for loved ones. I still remember when I first shared this recipe back in December 2010. My college senior was just a high schooler then, and my culinary journey was just beginning. Over the years, this recipe has been a constant source of joy. Whether it was for family gatherings, school events, or simply a comforting Monday morning surprise, these brownies always delivered. They even earned the approval of our first furry buddy, Lambeau, who famously eyed them during a photoshoot back in the day!
These brownies strike a perfect balance, offering a rich chocolate experience that isn’t overwhelmingly intense, making them a delight for everyone. I’m certain you and your family will find them as delightfully delicious as mine have for over a decade. I hope you have the chance to bake up a batch of these fudgy gems very soon.
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Fat Witch Brownies
15 minutes
35 minutes
50 minutes
16 brownies
Decadent, fudgy brownies adapted from the iconic “Fat Witch Brownies: Brownies, Blondies and Bars” recipe, bringing a taste of NYC right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 14 ounces butter (1 ¾ sticks)
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup nuts, chocolate chips, or Heath bar chunks, optional
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 9-inch pan with non-stick foil, ensuring some overhang to assist in removal, and set aside.
- Melt butter and chopped bittersweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- In a separate large bowl, beat together the sugar, room temperature eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined and lightened. Gently fold in the cooled chocolate mixture until just incorporated.
- Sift the flour and salt directly into the chocolate mixture. Mix gently with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix. If using, stir in any optional add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips.
- Pour the prepared batter evenly into your lined 9×9-inch pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter).
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to cut them. This crucial step ensures they set properly and maintain their perfect fudgy texture.
Notes
This recipe is an homage to the legendary Fat Witch Brownies, known for their dense, fudgy, and intensely chocolatey texture. For the best results, use high-quality bittersweet chocolate and allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting.
Recommended Products
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- KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer
- Nonstick Foil
- 9 x 9-inch Baking Pan
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16
Serving Size:
1 brownie
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 358Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 232mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 4g
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