Chocolate whiskey brownies are fudgy, indulgent and the best boozy brownies you will ever make. These decadent homemade brownies are best served drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
This post was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated for content.
I don't know about you, but every once and a while, I need a good chocolate fix. When I'm in the mood for chocolate, a good fudgy brownie will always do the trick. This is my new favorite easy brownie recipe that can be just made in 30 minutes!
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🍫 Ingredient notes
- Brownies - This recipe has been adapted from the best fudgy cocoa brownies recipe from Cafe Delites. It's easy and comes out perfectly every time. Boxed brownies can be used in a pinch as well. Simply substitute 2 ½ Tablespoons of the water for whiskey.
- Whiskey - A bourbon whiskey is best to use for this recipe because it's sweeter and pairs with the chocolate perfectly. I always recommend using something that you would drink when baking or cooking with alcohol. You don't have to use the most expensive brand out there, but I would probably skip on the cheap stuff.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Ala Mode - Serve these fudgy chocolate whiskey brownies with a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top for an extra special treat.
- Nuts - Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnut to the batter for extra crunch and texture.
- Alcohol Free - Want to skip on the booze? Substitute the whiskey for 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
- Dairy Free - Substitute the butter in this recipe for your favorite dairy free or plant based butter.
🥣 Step by step instructions
Mix together the brown sugar, melted butter, and whiskey and then mix in the eggs. Sift in the dry ingredients and then mix the batter until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Pour the brownie batter into a 8-inch square baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper and greased generously with baking spray or butter.
Bake the brownies for 20 minutes, until they are no longer jiggly or shiny on top. Let them cool completely before slicing.
While this step is optional, I HIGHLY recommend drizzling the chocolate whiskey brownies with your favorite caramel sauce and sprinkling them with a little sea salt!
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that is mentioned, be sure to look it up in our Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Make sure to both line the baking pan with parchment and grease it with butter or baking spray. This will help to make sure the brownies don't stick in the pan.
- Sift in the dry ingredients using a flour sifter or a fine mesh strainer to prevent any lumps in the brownie batter.
- Don't over mix the batter after adding the dry ingredients. Make sure there are no dry pockets, but stir together until they are just combined to avoid an overly tough texture.
- Baking time should be about 20 minutes. To make sure they are done, gently jiggle the pan to make sure they don't move and check the top to make sure they are no longer shiny.
- Make sure to let the brownies cool completely before cutting. The brownies continue cooking during this time and will also set up to make for easier slicing and serving.
💭 Frequently asked questions
Fudgy brownies should not be jiggly or shiny on top if they are cooked. However, if a toothpick is inserted into the middle, it may not come out clean. If the batter is still shiny on top or if they are jiggly when you shake the pan, they are probably undercooked.
Most recipes call for granulated sugar, however brown sugar adds extra flavor and moisture to make a fudgier brownie.
🥡 Storage instructions
These chocolate whiskey brownies will keep in an airtight container stored at room temperature for about 3 days. Warm them up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for an extra fudgy texture!
🍫 More chocolate recipes
If you loved this recipe for chocolate whiskey brownies, try these other chocolate recipes that I know you will love.
- Tiramisu Brownies
- Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
- S'mores Cheesecake
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Whiskey Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 ½ Tablespoons whiskey
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- caramel sauce, optional
- sea salt, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°, line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and greased liberally with baking spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, and whiskey and whisk to combine.
- Add in the eggs and whisk until they are well incorporated.
- Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt and whisk until all the dry ingredients have just been incorporated.
- Pour the brownie batter into prepared baking pan and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Brownies should not be jiggly in the middle or shiny on top but might be gooey if tested with a toothpick.
- Let the brownies cool completely before cutting. Drizzle cut brownies with caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt if desired.
Notes
- Use a bourbon whiskey when baking these chocolate brownies. It's a little bit sweeter than other varieties and pairs with the chocolate perfectly.
- When cooking or baking with alcohol, it's best to use something that you would drink. It doesn't have to be super expensive, but don't use the cheapest one either.
- Make sure to both line the baking pan with parchment and grease it with butter or baking spray. This will help to make sure the brownies don't stick in the pan.
- Sift in the dry ingredients using a flour sifter or a fine mesh strainer to prevent any lumps in the brownie batter.
- Don't over mix the batter after adding the dry ingredients. Make sure there are no dry pockets, but stir together until they are just combined to avoid an overly tough texture.
- Baking time should be about 20 minutes. To make sure they are done, gently jiggle the pan to make sure they don't move and check the top to make sure they are no longer shiny.
- Make sure to let the brownies cool completely before cutting. The brownies continue cooking during this time and will also set up to make for easier slicing and serving.
Substitutions and Variations
- Ala Mode - Serve these fudgy brownies with a scoop of your favorite ice cream on top for an extra special treat.
- Nuts - Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnut to the batter for extra crunch and texture.
- Alcohol Free - Want to skip on the booze? Substitute the whiskey for 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
- Dairy Free - Substitute the butter in this recipe for your favorite dairy free or plant based butter.
- Boxed Brownies - Boxed brownies may be used for this recipe instead, simply substitute 2 ½ Tablespoons of the water for whiskey.
Patricia
I want to make these, but do not want the caramel on top. Do you have a frosting or glaze recipe for this brownie? Please reply. Thanks.
Amanda Scarlati
I don't have a frosting or glaze recipe for these specifically, but I have made and eaten these without the caramel and they are delicious!
Lisa
can you use a gluten free flour substitute?
Amanda
Yes, that should be fine. I don't have a ton of experience in gluten free baking, however I have found a lot of success with a "cup for cup" replacement type flour.
Erica Whitfield
I used a brownie box mix (Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge). I added 40 mL of Vanilla Crown Royal, 20 mL of water, and 1 TBSP of E&J XO Brandy. The brownies came out great. I will make another batch and increase the alcohol to five or six tbsp.
Amanda
Sounds amazing! Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Mike Hungerford
I took my first shot at these this afternoon, and they are amazing! I used dark brown sugar and dark cocoa as I had them on-hand, and 40ml of Laphroaig 10 in place of the bourbon, which I detest. After exactly 20 minutes, there was no jiggle and a toothpick came out moist but clean.
I will definitely be repeating this exercise. 🙂
Amanda
I'm so happy you enjoyed them, thanks for trying the recipe!
Sherry Ronning
I am a sucker for a really good brownie and this one tastes delicious!! It did not last long in our house because they were so amazing!!
Amanda
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! They don't last long in our house either!
Alex C
These are delicious!
Amanda
Thank you Alex! So glad you enjoyed them.