Smart Recipe Kitchen

2026-03-04

Makes 16 squares | Total: ~45 minutes (includes cooling)

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips or chunks
• Flaky salt for topping

Instructions

1) Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9x9 pan with parchment.

2) Brown butter: cook butter over medium, stirring, until amber and nutty. Cool 5 minutes.

3) Whisk browned butter with sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla until glossy.

4) Fold in flour, baking powder, salt until just combined. Stir in chocolate.

5) Spread batter in pan; top with flaky salt.

6) Bake 22–26 minutes until edges are set and center is just slightly soft. Cool before slicing.

Why it works: brown butter adds depth; slightly underbaking keeps centers chewy.