BuzzFeed's 2016 brownie video hit 100 million views because they cracked eggs one-handed—the recipe was actually secondary.
BuzzFeed Tasty’s Viral Brownies
Indulge in these irresistibly rich and gooey brownies that promise to be the star of your dessert table! Made with decadent dark chocolate and a touch of espresso for that extra oomph, these fudgy delights are super simple to whip up and perfect for any celebration (or just because!). Get ready to impress your friends and family with a treat that’s as easy to make as it is hard to resist!
Prep
15
min
Cook
40
min
Serves
12
people
Level
intermediate
📝 Ingredients
Serves 12🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter or 285g (plus extra for greasing)
- 6 lg eggs (approx. 300g without shells)
🫙Pantry Staples(7)
- ½ cup dark brown sugar 110g (100 g)
- 4 oz semi sweet chocolate 226g (roughly chopped) (113 g)
- 4 oz dark chocolate 226g (roughly chopped) (113 g)
- ¾ cup dutch process cocoa powder 75g (180 ml)
- 1 cup flour 125g (125 g)
- 2 cups sugar 400g (400 g)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract 10g (2 tsp) (10 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(2)
- 2 tsp kosher salt 10g (2 tsp) (10 ml)
- flaky sea salt for garnishoptional
📦Other(1)
- 1 Tbsp espresso powder 5g (15 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33-cm) dark metal pan with softened butter, then line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides. Grease the parchment with softened butter or nonstick spray.
- 2
In a pot, brown your butter on low heat. Stirring occasionally, simmer for around 5 minutes or until fragrant and has a nutty flavor.
- 3
Combine the chopped chocolate, ¼ cup (30 g) of cocoa powder, and espresso powder in medium bowl and set aside.
- 4
Immediately pour the brown butter over the chocolate mixture and let sit for 2 minutes. Whisk until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted, then set aside.
- 5
Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs in a bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. It will be similar to the texture of very thick pancake batter.
- 6
With the mixer on, pour in the slightly cooled chocolate and butter mixture and blend until smooth.
- 7
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°F (180°C).
- 8
Sift in the flour and remaining cocoa powder and gently fold until just combined.
- 9
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake until lightly puffed on top, about 20 minutes.
- 10
Remove the baking pan from the oven using oven mitts or kitchen towels, then lightly drop the pan on a flat surface 1-2 times or until the brownies deflate slightly. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- 11
Return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 minutes more.
- 12
Set the brownies on a cooling rack and cool completely in the pan.
- 13
Enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Brown butter to exactly 5 minutes at low heat until it reaches 300°F internal temperature - the milk solids will turn golden brown and create nutty compounds (lactones) that add 3x more flavor depth than regular melted butter.technique300°F, 5 minutes
- ✓Beat the sugar-egg mixture for the full 10 minutes to incorporate maximum air and dissolve sugar crystals completely - this creates the signature shiny, crackly top by forming a meringue-like foam that sets during baking.timing10 minutes
- ✓Let the hot brown butter sit on chocolate for exactly 2 minutes before whisking - this controlled heat transfer melts chocolate to 88-90°F, preventing seizing while maintaining temper for glossy texture.timing2 minutes, 88-90°F
- ✓Use dark metal pans instead of glass because they conduct heat 25% faster, creating better edge caramelization while preventing the center from overbaking in the standard 25-30 minute window.equipment25% faster heat conduction
- ✓Sift flour and cocoa together to eliminate lumps and aerate - overmixing after adding flour develops gluten strands that make brownies tough rather than fudgy.technique
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
40
min
Serves
12
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
BuzzFeed's 2016 brownie video hit 100 million views because they cracked eggs one-handed—the recipe was actually secondary.
BuzzFeed Tasty’s Viral Brownies
Indulge in these irresistibly rich and gooey brownies that promise to be the star of your dessert table! Made with decadent dark chocolate and a touch of espresso for that extra oomph, these fudgy delights are super simple to whip up and perfect for any celebration (or just because!). Get ready to impress your friends and family with a treat that’s as easy to make as it is hard to resist!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 12🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter or 285g (plus extra for greasing)
- 6 lg eggs (approx. 300g without shells)
🫙Pantry Staples(7)
- ½ cup dark brown sugar 110g (100 g)
- 4 oz semi sweet chocolate 226g (roughly chopped) (113 g)
- 4 oz dark chocolate 226g (roughly chopped) (113 g)
- ¾ cup dutch process cocoa powder 75g (180 ml)
- 1 cup flour 125g (125 g)
- 2 cups sugar 400g (400 g)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract 10g (2 tsp) (10 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(2)
- 2 tsp kosher salt 10g (2 tsp) (10 ml)
- flaky sea salt for garnishoptional
📦Other(1)
- 1 Tbsp espresso powder 5g (15 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33-cm) dark metal pan with softened butter, then line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides. Grease the parchment with softened butter or nonstick spray.
- 2
In a pot, brown your butter on low heat. Stirring occasionally, simmer for around 5 minutes or until fragrant and has a nutty flavor.
- 3
Combine the chopped chocolate, ¼ cup (30 g) of cocoa powder, and espresso powder in medium bowl and set aside.
- 4
Immediately pour the brown butter over the chocolate mixture and let sit for 2 minutes. Whisk until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted, then set aside.
- 5
Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs in a bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. It will be similar to the texture of very thick pancake batter.
- 6
With the mixer on, pour in the slightly cooled chocolate and butter mixture and blend until smooth.
- 7
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°F (180°C).
- 8
Sift in the flour and remaining cocoa powder and gently fold until just combined.
- 9
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake until lightly puffed on top, about 20 minutes.
- 10
Remove the baking pan from the oven using oven mitts or kitchen towels, then lightly drop the pan on a flat surface 1-2 times or until the brownies deflate slightly. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- 11
Return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 minutes more.
- 12
Set the brownies on a cooling rack and cool completely in the pan.
- 13
Enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Brown butter to exactly 5 minutes at low heat until it reaches 300°F internal temperature - the milk solids will turn golden brown and create nutty compounds (lactones) that add 3x more flavor depth than regular melted butter.technique300°F, 5 minutes
- ✓Beat the sugar-egg mixture for the full 10 minutes to incorporate maximum air and dissolve sugar crystals completely - this creates the signature shiny, crackly top by forming a meringue-like foam that sets during baking.timing10 minutes
- ✓Let the hot brown butter sit on chocolate for exactly 2 minutes before whisking - this controlled heat transfer melts chocolate to 88-90°F, preventing seizing while maintaining temper for glossy texture.timing2 minutes, 88-90°F
- ✓Use dark metal pans instead of glass because they conduct heat 25% faster, creating better edge caramelization while preventing the center from overbaking in the standard 25-30 minute window.equipment25% faster heat conduction
- ✓Sift flour and cocoa together to eliminate lumps and aerate - overmixing after adding flour develops gluten strands that make brownies tough rather than fudgy.technique