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Brownies are one of my all-time favorite treats. What’s not to love? They’re ultra chocolaty, rich, and simple to make. Add a cold glass of milk and I’m in heaven!
If you subscribe to my emails (there’s a sign up box at the bottom of this post), then you know my dad had a pretty serious surgery at the beginning of the year.
Thankfully, everything went perfectly and he’s already on the mend. I actually made some of these brownies for the hospital staff who helped restore his health. I don’t know about you, but homemade treats make the best “thank you” gift in my book!
This Walnut Fudge Brownies recipe truly is the ultimate version of that classic brownie so many of us grew up eating and loving. I used to be on the fence about adding nuts into brownies.
Then I met a food scientist who made a brownie recipe with walnuts very similar to this one. He told me that he ALWAYS bakes brownies with walnuts because of the natural “umami” flavor they add that perfectly complements the sweetness of the brownie itself.
That’s why when I began my partnership with The California Walnut Board last year, I knew I would have to share a walnut-loaded brownie recipe at some point!
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10
tablespoons
(142 grams) unsalted butter
-
4
ounces
bittersweet chocolate, chopped
-
1
cup
(200 grams) granulated sugar
-
1/3
cup
(67 grams) packed light brown sugar
-
2/3
cup
(66 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
-
1/2
teaspoon
vanilla extract
-
2
large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
-
2/3
cup
(85 grams) all-purpose flour
-
1
tablespoon
cornstarch
-
1/4
teaspoon
salt
-
3/4
cup
(80 grams) chopped California walnuts
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Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
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In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate for about 45 seconds on high power. Stir and continue heating in 20-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
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Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa powder. If still very hot, let cool slightly before adding in the vanilla, eggs, and egg yolk. Stir until very well combined. Add in the flour, cornstarch, and salt and stir until just combined. Fold in the walnuts. Batter will be thick.
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Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
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Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving. The brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 days, or in the fridge for 1 week.
I made these yesterday and the flavor is very good, but the texture is hard and crumbly. I’m sure it’s operator error, but not sure what?
Hi Gail! How do you measure your ingredients? By volume (using cups), or by weight (using a digital kitchen scale)? When measuring by volume, it’s so easy to mis-measure ingredients (particularly flour) and throw off the entire chemistry of a recipe – resulting in things like dry, hard, crumbly brownies. Check out Tessa’s article here, where she talks about how to best measure ingredients to ensure accuracy every time. I also recommend looking at your cocoa powder. Many grocery store varieties of cocoa are not high in fat, and this can also yield dry brownies – learn more about that here! I hope this helps! Happy baking 🙂
Tessa, This is the first recipe of yours that I tried.
What an awesome brownie…moist and chewy perfection!
I forgot to add the vanilla but didn’t notice. Also, I baked in a 9×9 pan and topped the baked brownies with homemade chocolate frosting.
Thank you for this keeper recipe!
Sounds delicious, Jan! Thanks for sharing!
Not bad, but very crumbly
I’m sorry to hear your brownies didn’t turn out! Crumbly brownies tend to happen either from too high of oven temperature, overbaking or too much flour/cocoa powder. Did you use a digital scale to measure your ingredients?
can we use egg substitute? as i am a vegitarian and dont eat eggs.
You’d have to experiment with whatever you normally substitute with as I don’t publish egg-free recipes
Thank you so much! These came out amazing! My father-in-law loved them!
Hooray! So great to hear that.
I love this recipe! The brownies were so moist and chewy. I will definitely be making these again.
Hooray!
amazing. made this today and didnt believe its so easy to make. the sugar quantity might have been less as i used dark choc. but the texture and taste was too good. had the warm ones with vanilla ice cream.
Didn’t rise. Why not use BP?
Sounds heavenlt…going to try this!
In your directions you say “Line baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.” My question: Why foil instead of parchment paper? Do the brownies stick to parchment??
To die for! My whole family loved them 😀
Hi Tessa, can I use semi sweet chocolate instead of bittersweet?
The best I’ve ever tasted!! Being a chocoholic, many brownie recipes don’t really satisfy me much. But this was TOTALLY HEAVEN!! Moreover, I’m not really an expert baker yet, just beginning to learn things. Thanks a lot Tessa! :* Would keep following you for more interesting recipes! 🙂
Why is there so much advertising I can’t even see the recipe because of it. I’m trying to make the brownies and I can’t see the recipe because of all the advertising.
Can please you tell me how much cornstarch and how much walnuts to add it does not say Thank You
I didn’t use walnuts as I didn’t have any but when I was done melting the butter I added 1/4 cup chocolate chips mixed with the butter & added 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the dry portion mixed it all up cooked it in individual brownie pan & cooked for 25 minutes. Thank you so much I really enjoyed this recipe
hi tessa, am looking for a lighter slightly cakey brownie, could you please let me know how to adapt one of your brownie recipes to get a slightly airy version?
Tessa
The brownies came out amazing, I tried ur recipe for the first time. My kids loved em. Thanks for sharing
Wonderful recipe! But can I use milk chocolate instead of bittersweet chocolate?
Great recipe! The only thing I do different is…Toast the walnuts before putting them in the batter. I’m a fan of crunchy, toasty nuts ! I toast them in the oven @ 350* for 15-20 minutes…depending on if they’re frozen or not.
Hey, these really seems to be tasty if there is any substitute for Bittersweet chocolate….. Pls tell me
Followed the recipe exactly but they just kinda fell apart! They tasted good, but I don’t know what I did wrong 🙁
Made this brownie walnut recipe TWICE this month! And made brownie (cake) pops the third time around (without the walnuts though-some kids may be allergic to nuts, just to be safe). Loads of yummyliciousness! Thank you Tessa a.k.a. Goddess of chocolatey goodness!
Tell me the exact quantity of butter10tbspiz not equalto140gms
Recipe looks great but your slideshow with different sized photos is making the information jump up and down on my screen!
Can I substitute semisweet chocolate for the bittersweet? Would I need to reduce the amount of granulated sugar added?
Just loved your recipe. I would love to try these brownies and see how the cornstarch influences the softness of the brownie.
Thanks for sharing the recipe. Pictures looks amazing.
Hi, These brownies look yummilicious
Is there a substitute for cornstarch?
Thank you! Did you see this inside the post? “Also, the cornstarch in this recipe helps to add a soft yet chewy bite reminiscent of box mix brownies (but without the artificial flavor). If you don’t have cornstarch or don’t want to use it, feel free to omit it. They’ll still be delicious.”
I adore a good fudgy brownie too!!! These look so rich and decadent and I love the walnut crunch scattered throughout!
Oh my! So delicious! I made it lastnight and turned out so perfectly! 35mins is just exactly the right time baked these goodies! This is going to be #mygotobrownies ! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so thrilled to hear that, Rodella! I’d love to see a picture the next time you make them. If you can, tag #handletheheat on Instagram or email a pic to me 🙂 🙂
These brownies look absolutely amazing. I love walnuts.
Mmmm, getting my shopping list ready. Looks like I’m making fudge brownies tomorrow
Looks DELISH!!!! Cannot wait to try. Love nuts in brownies.
These are just darn perfect!!!
I am so glad to hear that your dad is on the mend. What a great treat for the staff. Walnuts in brownies are a must in my book!
YES! The more walnuts the better! LOVE these!
Right?! Thanks, Lauren!
Did I ever mention that I am a Walnut-aholic? These look fabulous!
Haha! Thank you Carolyn 🙂
I’m French, thanks to give equivalences in grams 🙂
You’re welcome!
Great, great photos ! Great yummy idea ! As always 🙂 Thank you so much !
Oh my goodness – these look INCREDIBLE!
I will defiantly be making these soon! x
Izzy |https://pinchofdelight.wordpress.com