Chocolate-Stout Brownies with Sea Salt
Fudgy brownies enriched with dark stout beer and topped with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a sophisticated twist on a classic treat. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (2 sticks) unsalted butter, bittersweet 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 220 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 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup dark stout beer
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a 9x9-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 with 8 oz bittersweet chocolate chips, stirring frequently until smooth and glossy, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: Whisk in 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined. Let it cool slightly for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Beat in 3 large eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition, then add 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and gently fold this dry mixture into the wet chocolate batter.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup dark stout beer until the batter is smooth and shiny.
- Step 7: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and sprinkle 1 tsp sea salt flakes evenly over the top.
- Step 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 squares.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate-Stout Brownies 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 Brownies 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 Brownies 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 Brownies 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-Stout Brownies 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.
