The Best Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies Recipe Ever Made

Skillet brownies bring warmth and decadence to any dessert table with their rustic charm and indulgent chocolate essence.

These delightful treats transform ordinary baking into a memorable culinary experience that feels both comforting and elegant.

Dense, fudgy textures emerge from cast-iron magic, creating a stunning centerpiece that promises pure satisfaction.

Home bakers appreciate the simplicity and dramatic presentation of this single-pan wonder.

Chocolatey richness melts seamlessly into a golden-edged masterpiece that commands attention from first glance.

Professional and home chefs alike marvel at the transformation of basic ingredients into a spectacular dessert.

Each bite promises a journey of intense flavor and smooth, velvety pleasure: get ready to impress your guests.

Why Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies Are a Crowd-Pleaser

• Unlock Decadent Chocolate Layers: These brownies deliver a rich, intense chocolate experience with multiple types of chocolate (semisweet and unsweetened) creating deep, complex flavor profiles that melt in your mouth.
• Embrace Personalized Individual Servings: Baking in small cast-iron skillets transforms the classic brownie into a charming, personal dessert that feels special and restaurant-worthy, perfect for intimate gatherings or unique dinner parties.
• Master Simple Gourmet Techniques: The recipe uses professional cooking methods like melting chocolate over simmering water and coating chocolate chips in flour, which elevates a basic dessert into a sophisticated culinary dish without requiring advanced skills.

Basic Ingredients for Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies

• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Rich chocolate that provides deep flavor and smooth texture, best when high-quality and fresh.
• Unsweetened Chocolate: Intense chocolate foundation that adds depth and complex cocoa notes, choose a premium brand for best results.
• Butter: Creamy ingredient that helps melt chocolate and adds richness to the brownie texture.

• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and moisture to the brownies, use room temperature for best integration.
• Coffee Powder: Enhances chocolate flavor, creates deeper and more complex chocolate taste without prominent coffee notes.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic background flavor, select pure extract for best quality.

• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp brownie edges, granulated white sugar works perfectly.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients, sifting ensures smooth texture.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps brownies rise slightly and become tender.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile of the brownies.

Directions for Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get it nice and toasty for our chocolatey adventure.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Magic

• Butter
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Unsweetened chocolate

Place the bowl over simmering water, stirring until everything transforms into a silky smooth mixture. Let it cool down for about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Whip Up The Flavor Base

• Eggs
• Coffee powder
• Vanilla extract
• Sugar

Stir until everything looks harmonious and smooth.

Step 4: Marry The Mixtures

Once the chocolate mixture feels room temperature, slowly fold it into the egg mixture. Blend carefully until completely integrated.

Step 5: Introduce Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Softly incorporate these into the chocolate blend.

Step 6: Add Chocolate Surprise

In a separate small bowl, coat extra chocolate chips with a light flour dusting. Gently fold these into the brownie batter.

Step 7: Prepare For Baking

• 4 individual cast-iron skillets
• Or one large baking dish

Place on a sheet pan and slide into the preheated oven.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Bake for 22 minutes. The centre should remain slightly soft. A toothpick inserted will come out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 9: Serve With Love

Present these warm, gooey brownies with a luxurious scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy the decadent moment!

Tips for Incredible Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies

• Prevent Dry Brownies: Check doneness by inserting a toothpick that comes out with a few moist crumbs for perfectly soft, fudgy texture.
• Chocolate Melting Magic: Use a double boiler or microwave in short bursts to melt chocolate smoothly without burning.
• Chip Distribution Trick: Dust chocolate chips with a light coating of flour to prevent sinking to the bottom of the batter.
• Egg Temperature Matters: Allow eggs to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to create a more uniform, silky batter.
• Serving Sweet Spot: Enjoy brownies slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate decadent dessert experience.

Preserving Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies

Seal brownies in vacuum-pack bags to preserve their rich chocolate flavor and prevent freezer burn. Extract all air before sealing to maintain maximum moisture and prevent crystallization.

Divide brownies into individual portions before freezing for convenient single-serving defrosting. Wrap each piece separately in parchment paper, then place inside a freezer-safe container to prevent sticking and freezer odors.

Store brownies in the refrigerator’s coolest section, typically the back of the bottom shelf, where temperature remains most consistent. Use a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to keep brownies fresh and prevent them from absorbing other food odors.

New Twists on Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies

• Nutty Chocolate Adventure: Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added crunch and rich, earthy flavor. The nuts will provide a delightful texture contrast to the smooth chocolate.
• Salted Caramel Splash: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the brownies just before serving. The sweet-salty combination will elevate the classic chocolate dessert to a gourmet experience.
• Espresso Lovers' Dream: Increase the coffee powder to intensify the deep, robust coffee undertones. This variation will create a more pronounced mocha profile that coffee enthusiasts will adore.
• Raspberry Chocolate Fusion: Swirl fresh raspberry puree into the batter before baking, creating beautiful marbled patterns and adding a bright, tangy note to the rich chocolate base.

Looking Back at Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies

Barefoot Contessa’s skillet brownies redefine chocolate dessert magic.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe elevates classic brownies with rich, deep chocolate layers.

Careful ingredient selection transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Chocolate chips dance with espresso undertones, creating complex flavor profiles.

Cast-iron skillets provide rustic charm while ensuring perfect brownie texture.

Warm chocolate goodness paired with smooth vanilla ice cream creates irresistible dessert memories.

Chocolate lovers will crave these brownies, share the recipe with friends, double-tap for deliciousness, and comment with their baking adventures.

Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Rich Barefoot Contessa Skillet Brownies deliver chocolate indulgence straight from a cast-iron pan. Warm chocolate goodness melts perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making you crave another delightful slice of pure dessert magic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Chocolate and Fat Ingredients:

• 115 grams (4 ounces) unsalted butter
• 115 grams (4 ounces) Hershey’s semisweet chocolate chips
• 85 grams (3 ounces) Hershey’s semisweet chocolate chips
• 40 grams (1.4 ounces) unsweetened chocolate

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 extra-large eggs
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee powder (Nescafé)
• 1.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 568 milliliters (19.2 fluid ounces) vanilla ice cream (Häagen-Dazs)

Dry Ingredients:

• 120 grams (4.2 ounces) sugar
• 15 grams (0.5 ounces) sugar
• 35 grams (1.2 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 15 grams (0.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F), creating the ideal temperature for baking these decadent brownies.
2. Create a smooth chocolate base by melting 115 grams () of semisweet chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate with butter in a heatproof bowl positioned over gently simmering water, stirring until completely liquefied and glossy.
3. Whisk together eggs, finely ground coffee powder, pure vanilla extract, and 120 grams () of granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform blend without excessive beating.
4. Allow the melted chocolate mixture to cool for approximately 15 minutes, then gently incorporate it into the egg mixture, creating a rich, glossy chocolate batter.
5. Sift 35 grams () of all-purpose flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt, then delicately fold these dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture until just combined.
6. Coat the remaining 85 grams () of chocolate chips with 15 grams () of flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold these into the brownie batter for additional chocolate pockets.
7. Distribute the batter evenly among 4 individual cast-iron skillets or a single baking dish, ensuring consistent depth for uniform baking.
8. Bake for 22 minutes, maintaining a slightly soft center – a toothpick inserted should emerge with a few moist crumbs for the perfect fudgy texture.
9. Serve immediately while warm, accompanied by a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream to complement the rich, intense chocolate flavor.

Notes

• Sprinkle a light dusting of flour over chocolate chips to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the brownie batter during baking.
• Pull brownies out of the oven precisely at 22 minutes to maintain a luscious, fudgy center that melts in your mouth.
• Wait for melted chocolate to cool down before combining with eggs, ensuring a smooth mixture without accidentally scrambling the eggs.
• Grab eggs straight from the counter, allowing them to reach room temperature for seamless blending into the rich, decadent batter.
• Scoop vanilla ice cream directly onto warm brownies moments after removing from the oven for an indulgent dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 500 kcal
• Sugar: 45g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 85mg