This Fannie Farmer brownie recipe is based off the original recipe from the Fannie Farmer cookbook. The century old cookbook is known for its old-fashioned New England recipes. But times have changed, and the recipe needed to be updated to modern standards. This recipe does just that. This brownie is rich, moist, and almost like candy. A classic brownie recipe loaded with chocolate flavor.
About Fannie Farmer Brownie Recipe
It’s hard to believe, but the history of the brownie dates back to 1896 when the first Fannie Farmer cookbook came out. And believe it or not, the first brownies had no chocolate in the original recipe. Just molasses, pecans, and other ingredients available during those times.
The Fannie Farmer Baking Book by Marion Cunningham is an updated version of the Fannie Farmer cookbook from the early 1900’s. This Fannie Farmer brownie recipe comes from Marion’s book. These chocolate brownies are a dense and fudgy brownie, which is exactly how I love my brownies. The book also has other brownie recipes if you prefer a cakey brownie instead.
Tips for Making Brownies
The key to this recipe is the melted butter. Where some brownie recipes use cocoa powder to add chocolate flavor, this Fannie Farmer brownie recipe uses unsweetened chocolate melted with unsalted butter. Make sure that you don’t use a sweetened chocolate. You need 4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate, which is comparable to 4 squares Baker’s chocolate.
Like typical brownie recipes, there is no brown sugar in this recipe, just 1 1/4 cup sugar. There’s also only half a cup flour, which makes for a very light batter. A little bit of salt is used to bring out the flavor of the chocolate, and of course vanilla extract makes everything taste better. Use an 8×8 inch square pan that has been greased and floured.
Skip the mixer for this recipe and stick with mixing by hand. If you have a large saucepan, you can use that to mix everything. However, you can also use a large bowl to mix the eggs, sugar, and vanilla with the chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour and walnuts, but do not overmix.
The recipe calls for one cup walnut meats (aka chopped walnuts). I actually prefer brownies without walnuts, so I skipped them in my batch. But if you like walnuts, I recommend toasting the walnut halves for a few minutes in a slow oven before chopping. Chop the walnuts and then measure out one cup. If you end-up with more than a cup, you could always sprinkle some on top to garnish the brownies.
This is a rich brownie, so I recommend cutting into small squares. It’s a great way you get more bars per batch too. If you have extra brownies, I recommend storing them in the baking pan at room temperature. Simply cover with aluminum foil and the brownies will keep for a couple of days. Not that I think you’ll have to worry about that, because the best brownies are eaten-up right away.
Chewy Fudgy Brownies
Equipment
- 8"x8" Baking Pan
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease and flour an 8×8 in baking pan.
- Place the butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan. Over low heat, stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Add the vanilla, eggs, sugar and salt to the chocolate mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Add the flour and mix just until combined and then stir in walnuts.
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
- Bake for about 30 minutes. It may take longer, but start checking at 30 minutes. The top will be dry and toothpick inserted in center will come out almost clean.
- Remove from the oven and cool on wire rack. Cut into 2" squares.
Fannie Farmer Recipe
I think there’s something nostalgic about a rich brownie. We probably all have memories of making box brownies as a child. So quick and easy to make, and to me so therapeutic to mix by hand with a wooden spoon.
Making brownies from scratch isn’t complicated and there are so many basic recipes out there. I hope that this Fannie Farmer brownie recipe makes it onto your short list for your favorite brownie recipes. I like that this is a no-frills recipe. There are no toppings, or fillings like chocolate chips or peanut butter. Proof that sometimes less is best for the best brownie recipe.
More brownie and chocolate cookie recipes:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Chocolate Chunk Pecan Brownies
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