Chocolate on chocolate is never a bad thing, but it’s especially delicious where these chocolate fudge brownies with chocolate buttercream frosting are involved.
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Brownie talk is as worrisome as a political debate at a dinner party on a random Sunday night.

You just don’t go there.

At least, not in my social circles.

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Because the folks that I roll with…they’re as particular about their brownies as some people are about their local senator.

And trying to find the perfect brownie for every palate is like trying to find a politician who hasn’t slept with at least five of his interns.

Right.

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But people.  It is an election year.  We need to at least try to get this brownie situation under control, or risk some kind of dinner party Cold War situation.

No one needs another Bay of Pigs. No one.

And so while my roommate is obsessively watching just about every “news special” on election coverage (aka Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart).

I’ve been frantically brownie-ing it up in the kitchen.  My counters are littered with varying shades of chocolate stains.  And I won’t tell you how many sticks of butter I’ve gone through.  (It’s obscene.)

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All to bring you this.

It’s fudgy. And cake-y. And covered in the.best.frosting.of.your.life.

And it didn’t inhale.  Ever.

How’s that for a campaign speech.

Chocolate fudge brownies, for the win!

This post is part of the Joy the Baker Cookbook Spotlight and Cook-Off!  Take a minute and stop by Girlichef’s site to read her interview with Joy the Baker and for a chance to win your own copy of the Joy the Baker Cookbook!

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Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
 
Chocolate on chocolate is never a bad thing, but it's especially delicious where these chocolate fudge brownies with chocolate buttercream frosting are involved.
Yield: 1 8x8-inch pan
Ingredients
For the brownies
  • ¾ cup AP flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 oz unsweetened chocolate
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
For the buttercream
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2½ to 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • scant ½ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup ovaltine powder (or other malted milk powder)
Instructions
For the brownies
  1. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350. Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking dish and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  3. Bring about 2 inches of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. In a medium, heatproof blowl, add butter and unsweetened chocolate. Place the bowl over, but not touching, the simmering water and allow to melt. Stir to incorporate. Once melted, remove the bowl from the simmering pot. Whisk in brown and granulated sugars. Whisk in eggs, yolk and vanilla. Add the flour mixture, all at once, to the chocolate mixture. Fold together with a spatula until well incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until a skewer inserted in the center of the brownie comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool completely before frosting.
  5. Frost with a half recipe of the chocolate buttercream frosting when cooled. Brownies will last, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For the buttercream
  1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter, cocoa powder, and salt. Mixture will be very thick but cream for about 3 minutes on medium speed.
  2. Turn off the mixer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add in 2½ cups powdered sugar. Turn the mixer on low to incorporate the sugar while adding the milk and vanilla. As the sugar incorporates, gradually increase the mixer speed to medium-high. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat until smooth.
  3. In a 1-cup measure, stir together cream and ovaltine. Turn the mixer to medium and pour the cream in a slow and steady stream until the frosting reaches your desired consistency: smooth, creamy and spreadable. Add more powdered sugar to adjust consistency. Spread onto brownies. Frosting will last, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 brownie
 

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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124 Responses to Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting for the Joy the Baker Spotlight!

  1. You are too funny. 🙂 I can’t get over how amazing these brownies look! I’m salivating over here…

  2. OMG!!!! This recipe was meant for me!!! Hahaha! Hope you have been well, Joanne!

    xoxo,
    Tammy <3

  3. Looks lovely Joanne. 🙂 I have been meaning to try raw brownies and Rob’s birthday party may be the perfect opportunity. 😉

  4. Maureen says:

    Amazingly decadent and perfectly wonderful brownies!

  5. “(aka Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart”…HA! You’re so right. Finding the perfect brownie is a major event. I’m ready to debate the merits of these, though…I loved them. And your photos are totally backing up my argument. Fan. Tas. Tic!

  6. These brownies end the debate, they’ve got it all and then some. Love your photos.

  7. Big Dude says:

    They look awesome – I’d like mine with nuts though – makes em health food as well as crunchy.

  8. Deborah says:

    Just from looking at these, I can tell that if I had to vote for a brownie, this would be the one I’d be voting for! I’m dying to get my hands on this cookbook. Need to go over to enter to win!

  9. I can’t decide if it was very smart or a big mistake to make the crackers over the brownies…..

  10. vianney says:

    Should frosted mine…still hanging head in shame..

  11. Danielle says:

    Brownies are my absolute most favorite dessert in the whole world – these look great!

  12. Amy says:

    Never met a brownie I didn’t like. I’m certain I couldn’t say that about Politicians.

  13. Mo 'Betta says:

    Why do you torture me so? I’m drooling over here!

  14. Mo 'Betta says:

    Why do you torture me so? I’m drooling over here!

  15. Oh my sweet heavens! This looks AMAZING!!! I’m trying to be so good, but these brownies, oh these brownies look out of this world!!

  16. Nicole, RD says:

    Love those random political debates and impromptu dinner parties on Sunday nights 😛 I want one of these soooo badly. Your photos really do make me want to lick the screen! Happy weekend, Joanne!

  17. Frosting with ovaltine – genius. Its torture reading and seeing photos and not being able to touch, at least. Such photos should be banned.

  18. You’re killing me! How many WW points are those? Totally worth it! I have to have a frosted brownie now. I just have to have one of those.

  19. Those brownie close ups! OMG! They are making my mouth water! So bad! I want one! I can’t stop using exclamation points!

  20. Beth says:

    I thought I knew what my favorite brownie was … but now you’ve got me questioning my choice. I think it definitely calls for a run-off vote.

  21. Jenna says:

    Joy the Baker is a genius–it’s written all over these brownies. I’ll have to make ’em, but only when there’s a crowd the help me consume them (I love my skinny jeans too much to risk outgrowing them in one fateful evening).

  22. What a cool idea! These brownies look lovely!

  23. I know it all too well…frosting + brownies is danger-city! These look awesome.

  24. Kristen says:

    It’s a good thing that no one can see me lick my computer screen. Seriously, people would think I had issues. WONDERFUL brownies, Joanne. I will be dreaming of them all day.

  25. Elizabeth says:

    I tend to like my brownies super rich and fudgey on their own that frosting is just overkill. Those photos are mighty tempting though…

  26. Mary says:

    These look insanely good. Sue made them earlier this week and had me drooling. I am SO tempted to go buy the dumb ovaltine and just try them once! Thanks again for the temptation. Have an AWESOME weekend!

  27. I looked at these pictures for literally 15 minutes. These look DIVINE.

  28. Megan says:

    There is something truly amazing about brownies with chocolate frosting. I would take one over a chocolate cupcake almost any day. These look to die for!

  29. Claudia says:

    Given the state of politics in our time, eating brownies is the only sensible answer. Eating these brownies!

  30. OMG – Do you know how tempting those photos of brownies are? An honest politician doesn’t stand a chance if bribed with those.

  31. Joanne, I love the way you write — such wit, style and personality!

    Such a pleasure to be sharing the cookbook challenge and spotlight experience with you. Looking forward to see what you pick for week 3!

    Best,
    Jenn/Rook No. 17

  32. So mad I’m allergic…and I made the car cake. 🙂 It was for my dad.

  33. Norma Chang says:

    Fudgy and cakey, the way I like my brownies, I would probably skip the icing and eat another piece of brownie in its place.

  34. Debbie says:

    You obviously know that I am trying to watch what I eat and that’s why you posted these delicious looking brownies…you are evil Joanne!!!!

  35. Oh my goodness, I could just eat a spoonful of that frosting! These look absolutely amazing!

  36. These do look obscenely good. I wouldn’t be able to hold back… there’s no will power in this one!

  37. Dear Joanne,

    I have seen quite a few brownies recipes but this one looks absolutely delicious with that butter cream frosting!

  38. OohLookBel says:

    Oh yum! That frosting is a good a reason as any to buy some Ovaltine.

  39. Candace says:

    ~sigh~ Those are just amazing. How I’m longing for one of those now. There goes the eating plan. 🙂

  40. JasmyneTea says:

    Oh My God, there goes my willpower, lol. Oh wait, what willpower? 😛
    Definitely trying these!

  41. MM says:

    I hear ya on the butter. Yowza. Your close-ups of the frosting are killing me.

  42. Reeni says:

    My vote is for brownies! These brownies! So rich and luscious with that thick layer of chocoholic lovers frosting. I can’t resist.

  43. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, These brownies will bring calm to a frisky political debate for certain! Everyone will smile. Blessings my dear, Catherine xoxo

  44. Sweet Tooth says:

    yikes! these look absolutely tempting!!! if i have this at my house it wouldn’t last a few days! that frosting alone is yum! give me a spoon and a few moments with it and… 😀

    Cannot wait to get home and try this!

  45. Joanne for president! But only if every family in American gets a plate of these brownies . . .

  46. Katie says:

    What a treat to see this delicious treat and get a peak at Joy’s cookbook. The frosting on this looks so tasty and creamy. I’ve spent the entire evening baking, but I’m suddenly very hungry.

  47. They look delish! Happy to see you back on the sweets train – everyone deserves a little treat every now and then.

  48. You never fail to amaze me…that frosting looks like the most exquisite creation on earth…

    Thank you for the lighthearted political talk as well. I hate election season.

  49. Anonymous says:

    Is the frosting separated? It looks a bit grainy, or is that just my screen…?

  50. What a fun event to participate in! The brownies look amazing with those chocolate chunks and the frosting. *swoon* I’d vote these brownies into office any time. 🙂

  51. beti says:

    that’s the perfect description for decadent

  52. Hotly Spiced says:

    Those brownies with the buttercream frosting look like the ultimate in indulgence. Love, love, love them! They looks so moist and chewy, so rich and decadent and you have captured them so well. Fabulous and Wow!

  53. That Girl says:

    I honestly didn’t realize there was such brownie debate. But I’m of the “chocolate is chocolate” camp.

  54. yes I agree the perfect brownie is difficult to be found and honestl any brownies sold in my near are not that good… but yours just looks heavenly smooth, a perfect tongue melting brownie!

    I better go now check out heathers blog. 😉

  55. Johanna GGG says:

    well I can be swayed by a good argument and though I am not a fan of frosted brownies – that buttercream frosting looks amazing and is an excellent argument

  56. Great post as always Joanne. I’m wondering if I should have shook things up a little bit and made those flax seed crackers and then frosted them with that butter cream? That frosting looks amazing.

  57. I love brownies…add frosting and they have to be great.

  58. Pam says:

    This is sinful for sure! I do believe you have the perfect brownie and I will be trying the recipe!

  59. Trish says:

    Those are beautiful brownies.
    I’ve tagged you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Love your site and your recipes. No obligations to pass this along… this is just a thankyou!

    http://infinebalance.com/2012/02/18/passing-the-love-versatile-blogger-award/

  60. Cindy says:

    These look oh-so-tasty – thanks for sharing! One question for you. I’m not a big fan of the malted flavor. Should I simply omit the ovaltine or sub with a few additional tablespoons of cocoa powder?

  61. Mary says:

    Count me in :-). These sound wonderful and my gang will devour them. This is a really nice recipe, Joanne. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary

  62. Natalie says:

    ahhhh deeelish! Joy’s making a stop in STL for her book tour and I am SO PUMPED to get my hands on the book and meet her! 🙂

  63. Beautiful!!!!
    I don’t know if I can ever find a politician so perfect but sure these brownies look absolutely PERFECT!!!!
    YUMMMMM….
    I am so excited about Joy’s book…

  64. You know I’m all over this one, doncha?

    • Claudia says:

      Actually I hate discussing politics. It makes me feel helpless and depressed. Brownies now, that’s a different story. This recipe will be joining the others in my file for a bake-off. I think it might just win.

  65. Victoria says:

    These brownies look AMAZING. You’re right, that frosting is insane. It looks like a big chocolate cloud off fluffy awesomeness on top of those brownies. Yum!

  66. Gloria says:

    these brownies look amazing, really I think I love brownies more thatn cupcakes, love the texture:)

  67. Astra Libris says:

    Love this witty post! You had me laughing out loud, as always! 🙂 And these brownies have my unhesitating vote already… 😉

  68. daphne says:

    I am a fan of brownies-and love how you paired it with MORe chocolate. I can even see the chunks of chocs in the brownies.. oh choc heaven!

  69. Wow, you know people who are picky about brownies? All my friends/co-workers see anything vaguely resembling chocolate and pounce it like starving Tasmanian devils. My only concern is the frosting. I think the addition of frosting just gave me atherosclerosis. Can that happen with a picture? They look delightful, even if they use an obscene amount of butter. That’s practically a requirement for brownies, anyway.

  70. Little Inbox says:

    Can I have some brownies, please? I’m so hungry looking at the pics. 😛

  71. sally says:

    Brownies and chocolate frosting are always a winning combination in my book!

  72. Miranda says:

    These brownies were fantastic and your photos totally back them up!

  73. Hannah says:

    Sounds like the ideal sort of brownie to me! I love the idea of adding malt to the frosting, too… It’s just such a great flavor, especially with chocolate.

  74. Danielle says:

    I inhaled…and I don’t care who knows! LOL. Loved these brownies….and am still enjoying the remaining frosting….one finger dip at a time.

  75. Chris says:

    Just for the record, you don’t have to inhale…if you bake pot into the brownies, ha ha. (I always wondered about those, wouldn’t they cause a vicious cycle of eat brownie>get stoned>get munchies>eat more brownies over and over?)

    The buttercream frosting makes these almost a cake – Brownie Cake! yum!

  76. Shannon says:

    Hmmm, I like his (her?) campaign speech! But I’m not so much for frosting on a brownie… doh. Might have to try these anyways, because Joy is that awesome 🙂

  77. Esi says:

    These look great. Can’t wait to see the book.

  78. Pam says:

    These babies have my vote!

  79. teresa says:

    i’ve seen these around on a few people’s blog and they look better everytime. my husband is pretty picky about his brownies too, but i think these would win him over!

  80. grace says:

    that’s just all kinds of chocolate! these are up there among the most decadent brownies ever made.

  81. OMG I totally drooled on myself! Im such a sucker for brownies! They def get my vote

  82. Carolyn Jung says:

    I’d gladly do an extra 30 minutes on the treadmill for one of these. LOL

  83. Amy says:

    These, like all of your baked goods, look insanely delicious!

  84. Healthy Ann says:

    I can’t believe how beautiful this is. I can taste it now. WOW!

  85. WOW! I feel sinned just by looking at them but oh so temptingggg

  86. Lora says:

    Brownies cross all party lines. Yum!

  87. elly says:

    I definitely have a favorite brownie recipe, but now I’m feeling badly about it because it has no frosting. I definitely need to give these a try!

  88. Ever since I saw Wives With Knives post on this, I’ve been dying to bake these. In fact, tomorrow is the day. Help me. I like my brownies gooey. But, I’m not a brownie fan. However, ovaltine in chocolate buttercream. O.M.G. You guys are killing me with this recipe. I’m on it! Stat!

  89. tigerfish says:

    I can just say these three words many times! I want some! I want some! I want some! These brownies look very rich and luxurious.

  90. Amazing! Seriously. I think these brownies are the world peace secret we’ve needed forever.

  91. if they taste half as good as they look, they are a winner 🙂

  92. These brownies are pretty amazing–and fudgy enough to please me. The frosting was to die for. 😉

  93. I mean, seriously. Could they look any more delicious?

  94. This is what I call a brownie. Yum.

  95. Anonymous says:

    Made these yesterday…they are amazing! I could eat the frosting by the spoonful!

  96. Kim says:

    Oh my gosh…your pictures definitely have me craving that delicious buttercream frosting all over again. These were some damn fine brownies!

  97. Oh man these look SO good! I love that they’re covered in buttercream frosting.

  98. Dana says:

    Joy is coming to Book Larder 2 days after we leave town. So bummed I won’t get to meet her. I would totally have made this delicious treat to welcome her!

  99. Free Coupons says:

    I love chocolate and brownies. It’s looking so delicious and it’s really makes me so happy. I would like to make this on my coming weekend. Thanks for sharing such a sweet recipe.

  100. Elizabeth says:

    Oh yum… those look delicious!

  101. Anonymous says:

    I didn’t see anyone else mention this, but the brownie recipie ingredients do not include vanilla, yet the instructions ask you to incorporate the eggs and vanilla…how much vanilla?

  102. Alicia Ellis says:

    Can you freeze these ahead of time?

  103. Kirsten says:

    These are amazing! Just finished frosting them!

  104. Leah says:

    “Brownies will last, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to 5 days.” HAHAHA!!!! Yeah right! More like 5 minutes. Who has brownies around for 5 days? Pffff.

  105. You’re too funny! Love your commentary! Looking for a killer brownie recipe and came across your blog.

  106. Melissa says:

    these were delicious! The only thing i would change next time is to use less salt– i also only had dark chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate so that also could have been a contributing factor– Thanks for great recipe!

  107. Lisa Frazier says:

    I made these last night and we couldn’t wait for them to cool completely before frosting. Very very delicious!

  108. […] Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting https://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/And trying to find the perfect brownie for every palate is like trying to find a politician who hasn't slept with at least five of his interns. Right. IMG_9796. But people. ….. a spoonful of that frosting! These look absolutely amazing! […]

  109. J.J. Choo says:

    These are some of the best brownies I’ve ever had! Pretty sure it’s the chocolate chips and the buttercream icing coming together that makes these brownies #1 in my book!

  110. Emily says:

    HI there,

    I’m making these Saturday. 1. The recipe says make a half batch of frosting. Is your recipe posted a half batch?
    2. The brownies can stay 5 days in room temp… but the frosting can stay 5 days wrapped in the fridge. If we frost the brownies when they cook, do we keep the brownies in the fridge? Afraid of things drying out that way but also don’t really want to frost as we go unless we have to.

    Thanks!

    Emily

    • joanne says:

      Hi Emily! The recipe posted is for a full batch of frosting, so halve it to make the brownies (or you can make the full recipe and have extra…up to you!). So don’t frost the brownies until they’re completely cool! If you’re serving them that day, you can leave them out at room temperature after frosting, but if it’s going to be overnight then I would leave them in the fridge after frosting them. They won’t dry out, I promise!

  111. Kimberly says:

    Hi Joanne, I just finished making your recipe, and without sparking debate, it is too cakey for my taste. The chocolate taste was perfectly balanced, however I wanted something different. Do you have any suggestions for making a gooey, fudge brownie?

  112. Jessica says:

    My friend and I are making these tomorrow for her 25th birthday! We are so excited because they look divinely sinful. I was just wondering if the Ovaltine requires a lot of mixing because it can often not dissolve properly and gets grainy.

  113. Sherrie says:

    I just made these and poured the icing on before they cooled. Probably not the best idea, but they were amazing!!!

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