How the Mixing Method Affects Brownies Taste and Texture

Chewy Brownies (yield: 13x9 inch pan)
10 ounces (284g) unsalted butter
2 ¼ cups (450g) superfine sugar*
1 ¼ cups (105g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
2 ounces (57g) dark chocolate (around 60-70%), finely chopped
2 tablespoons (16g) toasted milk powder
4 large eggs
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon table salt
8 ounces (227g) chocolate chips
1. Heat the butter over medium heat just until it comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and immediately add the sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate, and milk powder. Mix together until combined. Let cool for 5 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolks, and vanilla. Slowly add the eggs to the cocoa mixture from step 1.
3. Add the flour and salt and mix just until combined. Finish by mixing in the chocolate chips.
4. Spread into a 13x9 inch that has been prepped with nonstick spray and a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom.
5. Bake at 350F (180C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with streaks of thick batter (the toothpick should not come out clean nor should it come out entirely coated with shiny, wet batter).
*using superfine sugar helps make sure that the sugar dissolves for a shiny top

[@iamclaynow]

I like the wet and dry. I like it when it's chewy.

[@Novarcharesk]

Chewy is best

[@lDoVahKiiN]

Wet’n dry, or i gon’ die

[@purplrshadowyay]

​@@Novarcharesktrue

[@samhilton4173]

Especially the burnt edges

[@Ravenna17]

Perfect method! Also, use bread flour to really help with getting that perfectly chewy texture.

[@gillagroupie]

personally, i like the wet& dry because i enjoy the visual appeal of the shiny top and the chewy mouthfeel, although i don't descriminate and will eat any brownie you give me, regardless of mixing method.

[@Ravenna17]

Wet & dry is the best, brownies are meant to be chewy, not cakey. If somebody gives me a cakey brownie I’m not eating it lol.

[@river_witchery]

​​@@Ravenna17 that's okay, I'll take your cakey brownies. more for me ^_^

[@Ravenna17]

@@river_witchery Keep them lol. Eat what you like 👍

[@TheLastPiecePizza-Alex-]

laced

[@robbobthecorncobjriii8195]

Felt that. Reminds me of my first attempt at brownies from scratch. It was basically brownie brittle for some reason, and looked terrible but tasted amazing. It ended up being a crushed topping on a cake I made later that week

[@aron1089]

I always love how you never say which is better. You just say how they are and leave it to us to figure out which we like best

[@taylorspastpresent1014]

Wet dry dude He said “densest and chewiest of all” at the end for wet dry

[@aron1089]

@@taylorspastpresent1014 ok?

[@adam-vm3zj]

Yep, besides being informative, it's also neutral

[@lasAlasdeNatsumi]

It's bound to taste, just use your favorite method.

[@borby4584]

It’s because everyone has a different idea of best

[@crelos3549]

I personally prefer the fuck it method in which you just throw everything in there and mix it until you have a smooth-ish texture 10/10, would recommend, everybody likes my brownies

[@jennaeisel9072]

that is the wet and dry method which is why brownies are so beloved, you take very little care with making them, and they turn out fudgey and yum!

[@somestupiddudewithayoutube4676]

Pls do not fuck the brownies

[@everydaym8]

I wasn't too sure at first when you said the fuck it method

[@KlouseInTheKloudz]

Me too 😅😂

[@dylansolis1350]

Same here just throw everything in all at once and blend until you remember you still have put it in the oven and after bout 30 min you eat out of oven no cool down for a chewy texture

[@Chocun-ij7wk]

Damn. Who thought that air would make such a huge difference to a brownie

[@oldvlognewtricks]

Why would it make less of a difference for a brownie as a regular cake?

[@tyranictester]

​@@oldvlognewtricks people can be new to baking, leave them alone Lol

[@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410]

@@oldvlognewtricks I'm pretty sure it was sarcasm

[@oldvlognewtricks]

@@tyranictester Go on - leap to the defence of people who didn’t give something the most trivial of thought… that’s what we want to nurture.

[@oldvlognewtricks]

@@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410 And my response wasn’t?

[@Hoid.]

I had no idea about all these differences! I use the sponge method (I'm french and it's a common technique over here) and had no idea this was the reason my brownies aren't dense. Love your videos as always

[@samaraisnt]

I think it will also be the UK method since they are obsessed with sponge cake and soft texture…not my personal preference for EVERY cake. 😅

[@chelliex9072]

😊😊😊😅😊 of😊😊😊😊😊😊😊9😊😊9😊😊o😊9😊​@@samaraisnt

[@blackgriffinxx]

basic of baking. it is crazy how changing step changes how it comes out. I used to bake and cook from scratch a lot. Pancakes can change a lot by doing thing different. I had gotten to the point of making fluff pancakes with ease.

[@dalekkirbygaming4876]

Imagine mixing up all 3 types of batter, then swirling it all into one pan, multi textural brownies.

[@theorionnebula9746]

stop it right now. somebody apprehend this person

[@geoterra9478]

I'd love that, actually

[@destinypratt7761]

I'm not sure how to feel about that.

[@hellolove429]

I appreciate that your narration isn’t subjective towards any way. It’s just informative 👌🏼 great work!

[@Oonagh72]

This is beyond useful!!! Sometimes I like my brownies dense, sometimes cakey. Now one recipe will do both.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

If you want cake make a fkn cake not brownies

[@Oonagh72]

@@jackwhitbread4583 if you want to be angry cuss at your fkn mother, not me.

[@Oonagh72]

@@jackwhitbread4583-and go get some therapy. You are angry over brownies for no reason.

[@baiharke1642]

@@Oonagh72😂 true

[@theorionnebula9746]

⁠you're so wrong but I love the sheer personality in this comment @jackwhitbread4583

[@kamicokrolock]

As far as my mom and I are concerned Brownies should be as fudgey as possible, but my dad thinks they should be cakey, to which we reply "then you might as well bake a cake." wet and dry all the way!

[@sadtitties222]

I like your dad, lol. Cake like brownies are delicious! 😁

[@Ravenna17]

I give u a thumbs up for that lol.

[@Ravenna17]

@@sadtitties222As much as I HIGHLY DISAGREE, u got to eat what u like lol. Perfect to one person is imperfect to the other person. Which to me kind of makes life interesting.

[@jorgefoyld8538]

💯💯💯

[@stephanieramirez15]

Facts! 💯 bake a chocolate cake and call it a day!!!! Fudge-y or chewy is the only way to go!!!!

[@illtown638]

Them: Which one do you want? Me: YES!!

[@Perfect_CeII]

I love how most cakes try to be as light and fluffy as possible then there's just brownies aiming to be dense as hell

[@LunaWitcherArt]

Someone was like "if all I can make are dense cakes, I'm gonna make the denses cakes ever. I'll be a deity of density" and came up with brownies

[@melsyoutube]

i love dense fudgy chewy brownies

[@Ravenna17]

Now that’s the way!! Definitely use the wet and dry method, and bread flour instead of all purpose.

[@Thesilvercrayon]

Same. Any other way is really just glorified chocolate cake, imo.

[@khassan2008]

@@Thesilvercrayonyour opinion is wrong

[@scags365]

Other pastry person here, I would use butter and coffee as a hot wet, bloom my cocoa into it. Then make a traditional ganache, temper that into my eggs. Then combine both wet. Lastly add my dry then bake. It was for a gluten free brownie but damn those puppies slapped. Especially if you have good coffee/ espresso, it really makes a better brownie.

[@LA_HA]

Niiiiice

[@-desertpackrat]

Coffee adds such a perfect touch, my mom taught me to make chocolate buttercream using strong instant coffee to thin, instead of milk like usual, and it gives it a more intense chocolate flavor.

[@VideoGamerabc]

You got a recipe? That sounds delicious! Please and thank you

[@darkluto6201]

​@-desertpackrat could we have that recipe? Please😊

[@tinaspice]

Coffee and chocolate is a winning combo ❤

[@markbarry9945]

Finally, someone understands that mixing the ingredients in a certain order makes a difference, nice video!

[@djwiggles666]

How does that affect the flavor, though?

[@markbarry9945]

@djwiggles666 it's not so much about the flavor, mixing the dry ingredients by themselves means you will evenly disperse the raising agents (like baking powder and soda), spices, sugar throughout the flour base, which is important for an even batter. Always mix wet ingredients separately.

[@djwiggles666]

@markbarry9945 I gotcha. The person who posted this video said something wild about "adding the cocoa last" to change the flavor, and that seems insane to me.

[@markbarry9945]

@@djwiggles666 sometimes mixing the ingredients a certain way can affect the flavor

[@AC-hj9tv]

​@@djwiggles666did you not watch the video

[@tyshayedwards5808]

Wet + dry is my favorite type of brownie. The thought of a chewy chocolatey brownie with some milk just makes me happy.

[@chs2385]

This recipe posted on 4/20... Thanks!

[@4.0.4]

Just in time for AdoIf's birthday! 🎈🎂

[@ThymichthysMudskipper]

​@@4.0.4 No, that was meth. Wrong drug

[@YaroslavOstnikov]

Dose he have the recipe posted somewhere entirely?

[@spacenaves]

​@@YaroslavOstnikovGaze upon the description.

[@YaroslavOstnikov]

​@@spacenavesthank you!

[@juliasayuri7075]

This is strangely fascinating :0

[@murielleosborn1943]

And all 3 have a place in my heart.

[@Aritul]

Fascinating! All those brownies look delicious.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

Yes but you shouldn’t eat them too often

[@Aritul]

@@nofurtherwest3474 Lol! True.

[@ruthnorton1883]

I do the sponge method but instead of mixing the cocoa with the butter I melt dark chocolate and butter, mix it with the egg and sugar mix and then add flour and cocoa. It adds an extra chocolatey taste

[@thermiter36]

Yeah the big oversight in this short is that the best brownies are made with melted dark chocolate, not cocoa powder

[@InvisibleRen]

This. I always did it the third way using boxed mixes until I switched to gluten-free flour and started making them from scratch. I missed having that glossy top that made the edges crunchy so I found a recipe that did it the way you described and never looked back. The chocolate flavor is perfect and as far as texture goes, it’s chewy without making your choke on fudginess.

[@oggy06]

Brownies should definitely be chewy and dense. I hate the cake-like ones

[@datguy4104]

Cake is for cake. Brownies are for brownies.

[@Haldr]

I've found my people!

[@555samantha]

Agreed. 1000%

[@sommerprettygirlgamer2719]

Facts

[@non-binarynerd08]

People who like cakey brownies are going to food-hell

[@danperry5375]

I love that you don't just tell us how we should do it, but instead explain what effects different methods have so we can get the results that best suites are tastes

[@FounderOf4]

This is such an eye opening video, I have never thought about the steps in the process and how it affects the end result.

[@lauren7259]

i love your narration. your voice is so airy and paused; sounds yummy✨

[@himasf]

ooh sponge for me! the sheen is so appetizing

[@MatthewBrown64]

Sponge looks the best, but we all know wet&dry goes absolutely crazy and tastes godly

[@KoYaMiLeS08]

I love whoever invented brownies to begin with 🥰❤️

[@moonshiro]

Ha, never know it made such a big difference. also just to let you know as a viewr who really likes your content, in specific stuff like these when the fillling is really dark I would appreciate it if you put at the end a side-by-side of all three of them together so we can see the difference immediately between all the cakes, is just helpful because there are the section of the making in between and then it's harder to see the difference. Also if being completely honest here I would not mind a recipe for all three of those I love brownies 👀 Thank you for the video !!

[@alicehoward6431]

I agree, more side-by-sides would be awesome! And, good news, the brownie recipe is in the video description :D

[@catpride1323]

I also agree with the side by side, something you cannot tell, unless it's next to something else...😊

[@rizalftodette7947]

Ah yes wet and dry is the clasic brownie. Fudgy chewy and dense perfect!

[@nicolelavigne1700]

I'm more of a 'if it uses cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate it's not a proper brownie in my eyes' kind of gal. My go to recipe I got from a friend, and it uses the creaming method but she almost forgot the butter one time and added it at the very end (melted). She said that made the texture so much better, and that's the only way I've made that recipe.

[@piratekit3941]

I knew the wet/dry mixing method was best, but not why it was best. Great explanation!

[@silenceisbetterthannonsense]

This is why I prefer cooking, baking is far more complicated 😂

[@lisahinton9682]

Absolutely fascinating! Thank you, Benjamin! You're such a good teacher!

[@user-ch4jx4sk6b]

that waiter was so nice omg😭😭

[@00yiggdrasill00]

I will probably never make brownies in my life but im still happy to know this.

[@lilagraced]

really, why?! you’re missing out

[@00yiggdrasill00]

@@lilagraced because I unfortunately detest cooking. I make the simplest meals I can at home. I've genuinely tried to develop a passion for it because I actually respect and value the skills highly, but I just cant do it much myself.

[@statementofjoespooky1660]

@@00yiggdrasill00i used to hate it too, but now I cook all the time (dinner everyday and usually lunch as well, homemade.) It’s a lot of work but I enjoy it most of the time. Maybe you’ll end up liking it eventually. You can always hope!

[@SpecialInterestShow]

I literally never knew this ever and never would have even considered this. Tysm!

[@anotherwofartist5895]

I love that this guy doesn’t present it as a right and wrong way, but looks at the pros and cons of each and leaves it up to the viewer to decide which they want

[@SkibopDaSequel]

sponge method sounds fire

[@PaulHo]

I would actually love a Frankenstein monster sheet brownie of all three methods alternating.

[@godSPARDA1995]

You finally answered the one question I always had! Thank you!!!😩😩

[@theheathermargaretyt]

I always mix the first way. I found the biggest determining factor to be how long I mix after I add the eggs. I have got all of these results.

[@danieloconnor1121]

This is the best baking channel on KZbin and it's not even close

[@SinaAla]

Wow. Bless you. Thanks for the information!

[@TheMindofagenius1]

Oh bro, I LOVE you for including grams in the recipe!!👏🏻😣

[@funfan515]

Your knowledge is always amazes me! Always appreciated, and unbelievably interesting! Thank you 😊

[@realkingofantarctica]

So much nuance. Bakers are truly incredible craftsmen.

[@Jumpy11]

your videos are so short but so well explained, thank you for sharing all these tips ^^

[@mqiiow5985]

I like ur shorts keep it up👍🏻

[@v1nc3nt_bl4ck4]

I love your cooking shorts, most informative cooking shorts on KZbin. Thank you! I always use wet and dry because that’s how I know how to make brownies, plus I love em chewy but had no idea until I watched this short that the consistency of the brownie depending upon all this

[@EggieAnimates]

The mouth opens for all mixing methods.

[@NHarts3]

I use method no. 3 because its the easiest and i love the fudgey texture. Question: would you ever do any experiments with gluten free baking?

[@zeroounce8874]

I did. Regular flour Replace with coconut flour. Very good 👍 My guests asked for more. I cooked half brownie/half cheesecake and it’s divine. Keto cake.

[@vitocorleone1960]

At what step do we add edibles😊

[@dangerxbadger2300]

To make..... oregano butter...... you want to put your very finely ground oregano into the oven to activate it(look up "decarb methods") and then let it simmer on low heat in your butter, about a quarter oz of oregano per lb of butter, for 2-3 hours. You can add the immediate result into your baked goods, but it's better to let the butter cool inside the fridge to resolidify so you can get the excess liquid off the top(idk the science behind why there's excess liquid but there is). Also, if you don't want Edibles that will put you into a coma, make sure that you are always using half oregano butter half regular butter for any recipe.

[@antine1279]

Love the politically correct answer xD

[@mymai5859]

​@@dangerxbadger2300 Thank you. After the 'oregano' has steeped in the butter do you strain the 'oregano' out before using the butter, so it doesn't ruin the batter?

[@bidenslastbraincell]

well if you added edibles you'd have brownies with edibles lodged all up in there

[@bidenslastbraincell]

​@@mymai5859don't use this method; it's super old school and anything you make will just taste like straight weed. use cannabis concentrate, it's way higher in thc so you can use less and still get a very strong edible. you still need to do the decarbing step as the other guy mentioned, but it's very simple. 250F for ~40 minutes or so, then just add it to whatever you're making! no infusion of butter necessary, and your house won't reek of weed for days.

[@basketballfan5763]

sponge texture looks the best to me.... very interesting information❤

[@chickenychickens5154]

Bruh, who wants to eat a brownie with the texture of a cake?

[@January1983_1]

fr if the brownie's not dense enough to make me feel like im choking it's not a brownie

[@crysluvsjimmy2much]

My husband, he said his grandmother's cake-like brownies were the best. I'm team fudgy myself and so is our son.

[@sadtitties222]

I do! I like brownies and cake, so I get the best of both worlds, haha. 😋🤤

[@Ravenna17]

That to me is a baking crime lol. It’s not cake it’s a brownie!!!

[@karmargo2989]

Wondeful content, keep going girlie pop 💕

[@valencearden559]

Cooking is an art... baking is a science.

[@pammiasmr9068]

All look awesome❤❤❤

[@g.e.mandthesupersquad4039]

The sponge method I think is the best

[@trolltastic3467]

This is why baking looks 100x more intimidating than cooking to learn 😭

[@cm-yu6gu]

Am not understanding these comments I think baking is so much easier 😂 The idea of mixing everything into a single bowl is far less of a headache to me than having to prepare and cook multiple ingredients with seasonings/sauces and different cooking methods Baking is mostly just put it in the oven after mixing together and you're done lol

[@dianarojo-jewell4070]

I find it easier because no matter which method you pick, you get yummy chocolate brownies. But then it gets fun when you try different recipes variations and find out which one is your favorite. But cooking regular non sugary foodstuffs is harrrrrrd

[@trolltastic3467]

​@@cm-yu6gu Yeah, but if you're Asian, you don't measure anything. You just use feeling lol

[@phantomgaming4656]

Those brownies look IDENTICAL to the ones at my school canteen

[@AC-hj9tv]

Ok

[@danielcrouse6515]

I love when the easiest method is also the best

[@Foxtundrawastaken]

E

[@Heyitsmeanaya1234]

If he’s making you hungry 👇🏻

[@koalabro6118]

My favorite is brownie. Just love me some brownie. Don't care what kind; a bit undercooked, a bit overcooked, burnt into the pan, gooey inside, brittle like charcoal. Just give me a brownie and I will give you the smile of a genuinely happy person!

[@oksamak9314]

❤🎉❤

[@elielf1893]

So well explained ! And I also like the visual comparison ! 👍

[@marielym.g4329]

The better brownie is the one that you like.. thank you for this informative video!

[@emmaakeens]

Wow. Great information. I now know which way to make my brownies. Fudge is my favorite.

[@IShould.veKnown]

I love this channel

[@krawendai]

You really do what I always wanted but never dared, because of all the waste I would create experimenting. I always asked myself "why exactly this order" in like all recipes ever, and you give me answers and direct results. Thanks so much ^^ I understand ingredients and when to add stuff so much better with each video I watch from you

[@supercheetah778]

The creaming method is my favorite. I like the strong cocoa taste.

[@tygerk2372]

Yesssss!!!! I needed this video!

[@Introverted.Bookworm]

Mmmmm they all look so good.

[@justagerman140]

They all look and sound amazing, ngl

[@KM-xh3zx]

Wow 👌 thanks for the info 😊 You are underappreciated

[@ronnies3798]

I really love this knowledge. Awesome video bro.

[@juliacalhoun9491]

That is so cool; I'll be sure to keep that in mind the next time I make brownies!!

[@mdejesus91890]

I'm so glad I discovered this video.

[@paigelong1264]

That’s cool, good information

[@MaisaVahedi]

thank you that was very informative :)

[@FeDavis]

I love all three recipe methods

[@babaganoush1775]

Thank you Benjamin! This is so helpful. Blessings to you for educating us 💜

[@DanielaDurgova]

Wow I didn't know that thanks for sharing ❤

[@rhiannonkinsworthy7196]

I just love brownies!!!

[@gendoll5006]

God I love this channel!

[@fredrichardson9761]

That's an awesome analysis of brownie making - thank you!

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

Man, I hate fudgy brownies, this information is utterly valuable to me. Give me the fluffiest, chocolatiest brownie possible, and I will be happy. And yes, it is still different than chocolate cake.

[@Phoenix-Forest-Wild]

This is great... IT MADE ME WANT BROWNIE'S

[@Shilobotomized]

And all three of them are abaolutely gorgeous.

[@SamanthaAbbruzzese]

I never knew this! Thanks 😊

[@katjaamyx2922]

Thank you for this very important baking information!

[@verucasalt2391]

This was interesting, thank you!

[@OrangeSheepPlayz]

Thank you! :D

[@shaimaaaldeeb2300]

Loe the experimenting mindset you have and sharing it with us is really educational and enriching..so thank you

[@jessekimxx]

the sponge look delicious!

[@mariamafzal3262]

Great content!

[@DesireUba]

This is so… nice to know. Thank you’

[@nalinhingorani7386]

Now I am craving brownies. Thanks

[@maurad5378]

I learn so much from your channel. Thank you!

[@lovingatlanta]

👍🤩💝OMG thank you.😊