Chocolate-Stout Brownie Bars with Sea Salt
Dense and fudgy brownie bars infused with rich stout beer and topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a perfect balance of deep chocolate and subtle bitterness. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (2 sticks) unsalted butter, semisweet 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 280 calories and feeds 12, 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 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup stout beer
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup unsalted butter and 8 oz semisweet chocolate chips together, stirring until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 1/4 cup brown sugar until combined.
- Step 3: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture until just combined.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup stout beer gently until the batter is smooth and thick.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Sprinkle 1 tsp sea salt flakes evenly over the top.
- Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate-Stout Brownie Bars with Sea Salt take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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-Stout 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-Stout 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-Stout Brownie Bars with Sea Salt for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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-Stout 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.
