I considered making a brownie cake while planning a dinner party for my friends. I wanted a dessert that was both familiar and special. Regular brownies seemed too simple, and a standard cake felt too plain. That’s how the brownie cake idea came to life.
Many would ask Is it a brownie or a cake? It combines the best of both. It has the rich, fudgy, and chocolatey goodness of a brownie, plus the light and moist texture of a fluffy cake. This isn’t just any brownie or cake. It’s something special that will make you want more. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the best experience, or savor it by itself – either way, you’re in for a delightful surprise.
Take a single bite, and you won’t be able to stop! The magic comes from the amazing mix of ingredients – top-notch cocoa powder, melted chocolate, and just the right sprinkle of sugar to make a super rich and well-balanced taste. The outcome is both chewy and sturdy, featuring a crispy top that leads to a thick, fudgy center.
Recipe
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Brownie Layer:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
How To Make Brownie Cake
Preparing The Brownie Layer:
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing it and placing a piece of parchment paper at the bottom.
- In a medium saucepan, warm the butter over medium heat until it melts. Take it off the heat and mix in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is nicely blended.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt with a whisk. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything is just combined.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
Preparing The Cake Layer:
- In a big mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and sugar, beating them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, and then mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt by whisking them together. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and finishing with the flour mixture.
- Gently spoon the cake batter over the brownie layer in the cake pan, spreading it evenly.
Place the mixture in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the brownie cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool completely.
My Recommended Success Tips
- Good Mixing Techniques: When preparing the brownie batter, be careful not to overmix it to maintain that delicious fudgy texture. For the cake batter, it’s essential to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly to create a light and airy crumb.
- Balancing Layers: A major challenge was achieving the perfect balance between the brownie and cake layers. The brownie needs to be rich and fudgy, whereas the cake should be airy and light. This delightful contrast in textures is what truly makes the brownie cake special.
- Perfect Layering: To keep the brownie layer separate, pour the cake batter carefully. Use a spoon to place the batter in small amounts, which helps keep the layers distinct.
- Watchful Baking Time: Watch the baking time closely because the thick brownie layer might need a bit more time than a regular cake. Use a toothpick to test if it’s done, so the cake stays moist and doesn’t dry out.
- Toppings and Garnishes: To enjoy the brownie cake, top it with a scoop of whipped cream, a splash of chocolate ganache, or some powdered sugar. Additionally, fresh berries add a lovely touch.
- Flavor Enhancements: Stir a teaspoon of espresso powder into the brownie batter to intensify the flavor. By doing this, the chocolate flavor will be enhanced without gaining any coffee flavor.
