Baked Chocolate Chili Brownies with Cinnamon
Rich chocolate brownies enhanced with a hint of chili heat and warm cinnamon for a surprising depth of flavor. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 43 minutes layers (113g) unsalted butter, (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan with butter.
- Step 2: In a heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter and 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips together, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup granulated sugar until combined.
- Step 4: Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, sift together 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp chili powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 6: Fold the dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture gently until just combined.
- Step 7: Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 8: Bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Step 9: Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into 16 squares.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Chocolate Chili Brownies with Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 43 minutes (15 min prep + 28 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Chocolate Chili Brownies with Cinnamon?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Chocolate Chili Brownies with Cinnamon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Chocolate Chili Brownies with Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Chocolate Chili Brownies with Cinnamon?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
