Chocolate Tahini Swirl Brownies

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fudgy brownies enhanced with a nutty tahini swirl, combining rich chocolate with subtle sesame flavor for a unique twist. This mediterranean-inspired desserts ready in about 43 minutes layers (113g) unsalted butter, (170g) 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 190 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 28 min Serves 16 Mediterranean cuisine 190 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter with 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Stir 1 cup granulated sugar into the melted chocolate mixture, then whisk in 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract until glossy and combined.
  3. Step 3: Sift together 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp salt; fold these dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture until just mixed.
  4. Step 4: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Dollop 1/3 cup tahini over the batter, then pour the remaining batter on top.
  5. Step 5: Use a knife to swirl the tahini through the batter gently, creating marbled patterns. Bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool before cutting into squares.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chocolate Tahini Swirl Brownies 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 Chocolate Tahini Swirl Brownies?

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 Tahini Swirl Brownies?

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 Tahini Swirl Brownies 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 Tahini Swirl Brownies?

Mediterranean 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.