Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the brownies out later. This ensures easy removal and helps achieve those perfect edges for shaping.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk them together until well incorporated and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract. If you’re using almond extract, add a tiny drop now for an extra layer of flavor.1 cup unsalted butter, melted, 1.5 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, tiny drop almond extract
- Add the three large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is glossy and emulsified. This step is crucial for developing the fudgy texture.3 large eggs
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting these dry ingredients helps prevent lumps and ensures an even distribution throughout the batter.3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies. A few streaks of flour are okay at this stage.
- Gently fold in the 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. These will melt slightly during baking, adding pockets of extra chocolatey goodness and contributing to the fudgy consistency.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter. The edges should look set. Do not overbake, as this is key to achieving fudgy brownies.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is essential for allowing them to set properly, making them easier to cut and shape. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to carefully lift the entire brownie slab out of the pan and place it on a cutting board. Now, carefully use a sharp knife to cut out football shapes. You can also use a football-shaped cookie cutter for more precision.
- Once you have your football shapes, it’s time for the fun part – decorating! Melt some extra semi-sweet chocolate chips or use store-bought chocolate frosting. Pipe laces onto each brownie in a football pattern. You can also add edible footballs or team colors for extra flair.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, edible football decorations
Notes
These brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
