Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bars with Sea Salt
Dense and fudgy chocolate brownie bars studded with chunks of bittersweet chocolate and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for balance. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 45 minutes layers unsalted butter, chopped bittersweet chocolate, 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 200 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
- 10 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 oz, chopped bittersweet chocolate
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chunks
- 1/2 tsp for topping flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a medium heatproof bowl, combine 10 tbsp unsalted butter and 6 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate. Melt together over a double boiler or in 30-second microwave bursts, stirring until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and whisk in 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar until combined.
- Step 4: Whisk in 3 large eggs one at a time, then add 2 tsp vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
- Step 5: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold in 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chunks evenly throughout the batter.
- Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the surface.
- Step 8: Bake for 28-32 minutes until the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft to the touch.
- Step 9: Cool completely in the pan before lifting out with parchment and cutting into 16 bars.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bars with Sea Salt take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bars with Sea Salt?
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 Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bars with Sea Salt?
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 Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bars with Sea Salt 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 Chocolate Chunk Brownie Bars with Sea Salt?
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.
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