# Brownies! The dessert kind, not the girl scouts in training **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [February 7, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023 "2025-02-07T17:19:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/1 "2025-02-07T17:19:12Z")
This should be pretty straighforward. Nuts or no nuts? If nuts, what kind? Chocolate chips, M&Ms, Reeses, nothing? Frosted or not? Inside piece or edge? Box mix or made from scratch? Anything else? My choices: Preferably no nuts, but pecans are OK. Chocolate chips are OK, but I’m not crazy about candy bits in them. No frosting - that’s for cake. Inside piece, tho I will take an edge if that’s the only option. Box mix - I figure if someone took the time to measure all the ingredients for me and package them for my convenience, who am I to scoff? In fact, I bought a box mix today for tonight’s dessert. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/2 "2025-02-07T17:24:36Z")
- No nuts (I love nuts…just not in baked goods). - I really like Duncan Hines box brownie mix.\* - No Frosting - Edge piece (I like the bit of crunch it adds). - Generally no bits of any sort (goes with nuts). It’s a texture thing for me but not a deal breaker either for me like nuts are. \*My GF once decided to test if I could tell the difference between the more fudgy or more cake-like brownies you can make from the box (basically a couple more eggs). I prefer the more fudgy ones and she was surprised that I noticed the difference immediately after one bite. Of course, this is all preference. These are just mine. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/3 "2025-02-07T17:30:01Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Nuts or no nuts? If nuts, what kind? > Chocolate chips, M&Ms, Reeses, nothing? > Frosted or not? > Inside piece or edge? > Box mix or made from scratch? > Anything else? Variable on nuts, but usually not fond of other chunks (I do have some mild texture issues with food). Generally, I think frosting is overkill on brownies. A bit of a preference for edge, but either is good (hey, it’s a brownie!). Box mix is fine by me, and I tend to use the fudgy recipe vs. the cakey recipe (the latter is good, but the fudgy version is IMO better). ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/4 "2025-02-07T17:32:49Z")
Definitely fudgy. If I wanted cake, I’d bake a cake! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/5 "2025-02-07T17:33:10Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > No frosting - that’s for cake. I used to have a recipe for sort of a brownie/cake hybrid – with frosting. That was my go-to whenever my Boy Scout troop had pot luck. As for the rest, same as you but I prefer the crunchy edge. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/6 "2025-02-07T17:39:50Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Definitely fudgy. If I wanted cake, I’d bake a cake! Yeah…that’s the thing. I don’t get the cakey brownies. If you want cake, make a cake. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/7 "2025-02-07T17:42:25Z")
I like to put 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract in brownies; it unfortunately dries them out a little but I love the taste of them. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeysBrother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@MonkeysBrother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeysBrother)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/8 "2025-02-07T17:47:16Z")
A vote for cakey (if I wanted fudge… 😉). After that, nuts are a must (walnuts), but definitely no on chocolate chips, M&Ms, etc. No frosting. Made from scratch (I make my Mom’s recipe), though I can’t say I’ve actually tried brownies made from a box mix. And I’ll take center or edge, they are slightly different, but both good. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/9 "2025-02-07T18:11:30Z")
The Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate box mix is better than any version I’ve ever made from scratch. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/10 "2025-02-07T18:15:29Z")
No nuts. (Put a jar of shelled nuts on the table, and I will nibble on them all day long. Bake them into something, and I completely lose interest.) Chocolate chips or M&M are fine, but if given a choice, I will prefer plain. No frosting. Inside piece. I assume made from scratch is better than box mix, but I doubt if I would ever turn down either one. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/11 "2025-02-07T18:19:41Z")
Nuts Pieces No frosting Edge only Box is fine. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/12 "2025-02-07T18:20:47Z")
Nuts are fine, walnuts or pecans. _sans_ nuts is equally fine Frosted if real made at home with butter frosting, otherwise never mind Fudgy vastly over cakey Good semi-sweet chocolate chips are fine (Ghirardelli) sprinkled on top before baking in lieu of frosting From scratch over box mix. From my mother I have a recipe for Saucepan Brownies, very quick and easy, mixed in the saucepan you melt the butter in so no extra bowls dirtied. Dense and fudgy. Absolutely an inside piece. Edge piece only if that’s the only type available ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/13 "2025-02-07T20:18:16Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > The Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate box mix is better than any version I’ve ever made from scratch. My husband’s cousin makes these, but she adds something else which made them even better. But I don’t remember what. If nuts, they have to be good walnuts (so many taste rancid to me) or pecans. The nuts should be toasted and whole, not chopped. I generally don’t like nuts, but for really good fudgey brownies, the nuts help balance the brownies. No frosting. A dusting of powdered sugar is permitted. Inside piece. I don’t do box mixes because of strange reactions. If I’m just going to have one serving, then that’s fine. But for making at home, I’m making it from scratch. Never had them, but I could imagine that dried cranberries would be a yummy addition. > [@Eric1](#): > > I like to put 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract in brownies; it unfortunately dries them out a little but I love the taste of them. Grand Marnier or Cointreu. Okay, now I’m thinking fudgey brownies with toasted pecans, dried cranberries and a Tbsp of Grand Marnier, dusted with powdered sugar. Or maybe candied orange peel. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/14 "2025-02-07T21:49:26Z")
Slightly underbaked with lots of walnuts. They should be moist enough not to require icing. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/15 "2025-02-08T00:36:25Z")
If you have an Aldi’s near you their boxed brownie mix is quite good. I like to put about a teaspoon of Penzey’s Pico Fruita spice mix into the batter for a bit of a spicy kick. Oh, and corner piece, please. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/16 "2025-02-08T00:46:44Z")
Walnuts! No icing. Preferable bought at a bakery. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/17 "2025-02-08T00:53:28Z")
I prefer to make hot fudge pie. For brownies I’ll make blondies (brown sugar brownies). Amoretto or something like that instead of vanilla extract. But not lately - post Xmas weight reduction and all that, plus the egg situation ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/18 "2025-02-08T01:01:46Z")
- No nuts. I like nuts on their own, but not in baked goods. They get weirdly soggy, and also, i don’t care for the texture they add. - Chocolate chips are okay. I’ve never had other candy bits. My guess is i wouldn’t like crunchy ones. - Not frosted - Edge. In fact, is there a corner left? - We always make them from scratch, from the recipe that used to be on the box of “Bakers chocolate” back in the 80s. - Definitely cakey! I really don’t enjoy under-baked baked goods, and that’s how the “fudgy” ones read to me. I like actual fudge, but brownies should be fully cooked, ideally with crispy edges. They aren’t cake, a good cake is, imho, moister and softer than a really good brownie. I often don’t enjoy brownies that people bring to events. In addition to that unpleasant gooey texture, they often taste a little of undercooked flour and artificial something. But i usually taste them, and sometimes i like them. And if y’all don’t like my brownies, i guess there will be more for me. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/19 "2025-02-08T01:01:50Z")
Any. Please. 🤐 I just want to smell ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2025, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023/20 "2025-02-08T01:02:17Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Nuts or no nuts? If nuts, what kind? > Chocolate chips, M&Ms, Reeses, nothing? > Frosted or not? > Inside piece or edge? > Box mix or made from scratch? > Anything else? 99% of time, no nuts, 1% of the time pecans. No additional stir-ins, no “ribbons” of raspberry or caramel Frosting is evil. Edge, and always edge, but only if a corner isn’t available. Made from scratch if I can convince the wife, otherwise GOOD quality box. In addition: Cake like brownies are the work of Satan. Much like @Whack-a-Mole, if I want chocolate cake, I’ll make chocolate cake. Micro brownies to maximize crust are acceptable, such as cooked in cupcake pans. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brownies-the-dessert-kind-not-the-girl-scouts-in-training/1014023.md?page=2)