A snappy, crunchy, easy made-from-scratch recipe for brownie bark. Tastes just like a crisp, chocolaty, brittle brownie! Recipe includes a how-to video at the bottom of the post!
So, brownie bark…
Let me say that again… Brownie… Bark…
Well, those are two words that I never thought I’d want to pair together.
Because when you think brownies, you think words like soft, chewy, fudgy, and melt-in-your-mouth, right? Not something crispy, thin, and brittle like bark.
This is definitely… different.
But have you had the store-bought brownie bark before? I bought a bag on a whim a few weeks ago (never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach) and it was addictive. It’s crisp, thin, brittle and like eating a crunchy, snappy brownie. It’s almost more like a candy (like a chocolate peanut brittle) or a crunchy cookie or a sweet potato chip rather than a brownie.
I finished off the bag in about 30 seconds. It was a teeny, tiny bag that had a pretty high price tag for only 30-seconds of face-stuffing. Four measly ounces of crispified brownies doesn’t make it very far in my house.
So I set about making my own recipe.
I pulled out some of my favorite brownie recipes as starting points, ultimately settling on this cookie recipe, and removed all of the things that make it soft. Out went the egg yolks, the brown sugar, the corn starch. I even added water to thin the batter. It hurt my heart a little bit.
But here we are, and I’m glad to say that I have no regrets about eliminating all of the wonderful parts of those brownies.
The batter is simple to make, spread it evenly and thinly (very thin— think potato chip thickness) on the pan and watch it carefully through the oven door while it bakes. You don’t want your edges to burn (though if they do, just snap them off).
Spread it, bake it, cut it (cut it in the pan while it’s hot and then let it cool) and drizzle some dark chocolate for good measure.
I’m kicking myself for not weighing out how much brownie bark this actually made, but I’m going to say it was the equivalent of at least two or three bags of store-bought.
Enjoy!
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Brownie Bark
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter
- 1 ¼ cups (215 g) semisweet chocolate chips divided
- ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons (125 g) sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder
- 2 large egg whites room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1 Tablespoon water
- ¾ cup (125 g) dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate melting wafers optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F/190C and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In large, microwave safe bowl, combine butter and 1 cup (170g) of chocolate chips. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir well. Return to microwave and heat for 15 seconds at a time (stirring after every 15 seconds) until chocolate and butter are completely melted and combined.4 Tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, 1 ¼ cups (215 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- Stir in cocoa powder and then sugar (mixture may be thick, that's OK).½ cup + 2 Tablespoons (125 g) sugar, 3 Tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder
- Add egg whites and vanilla extract, stir well.2 large egg whites, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Gradually stir flour mixture into chocolate mixture until completely combined.
- Stir in milk and water until evenly combined.2 Tablespoons milk, 1 Tablespoon water
- Divide the batter between the two prepared cookie sheets, pouring half onto one sheet and half onto the other.
- Use a spatula to spread the batter very thinly (think the thickness of a potato chip) and evenly (try to keep the edges even, otherwise they will be more likely to burn). Sprinkle each half with 2 Tablespoons (22g) of the remaining chocolate chips.
- Bake (it's best to bake the sheets one at a time) for 15-17 minutes. Keep a close eye on the brownie brittle so that the edges don't burn. If your oven does not bake evenly, I recommend turning the pan halfway through baking.
- Remove from oven and immediately use a large knife or pizza cutter to cut shapes into the brownie brittle.
- Allow the brittle to sit, undisturbed, until cool.
- Break brittle along the cut lines that you made with knife/pizza cutter.
- Set pieces on wax paper or cooling rack and melt your dark chocolate chips or melting wafers at 15-second increments (stirring between each) until completely melted.¾ cup (125 g) dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate melting wafers
- Use a spoon or knife to drizzle chocolate over brownie brittle pieces (you may also transfer the melted chocolate to a small ziploc bag and snip a small hole in one of the corners and drizzle the chocolate that way).
- Allow the chocolate to set and harden before serving and enjoying.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This recipe for Brownie Bark was originally published 08/22/2016. Re-shared with more information and new video on 05/03/2019.
Camila U
These were delicious! I whipped the egg whites with the sugar before adding the chocolate mixture. I also accidentally melted all of the chocolate chips before realizing that the mixture was supposed to be divided. Lol. Anyway, they still came out super crunchy and stayed crunchy overnight in the humidity! Will definitely make it again and maybe add some peppermint extract and candy canes for a festive twist.
Sam
So glad to hear they were a hit, Camila! Love the sound of adding some candy canes, yum!
selah
Hi Sam,
What should the texture be when it comes out of the oven? SHould in be soft or already crunchy? Thank you!
Sam
Hi Selah! It’s going to be a little soft when it comes right out of the oven, but as it sits and cools it will become more crisp. Make sure to make your cut lines right away so it’s easy to break. 🙂
Chandra Persaud
How many grams of AP flour is 3/4 cup?
Sam
Hi Chandra! 95 grams. Sorry for not noting it in the recipe, I will be sure to add that. Enjoy!
amani
could i use some other liner than parchment paper?
Sam
Hi Amani! I’m not sure of a good alternative here. Aluminum foil might work but I don’t know for sure. 🙁
Katie
Delicious recipe! My first batch I took out at 17 mins, yet it needed to be in a couple mins more. Still good, but a little chewy, which just took longer to chew. A quick dunk in coffee softens it quick! I accidentally forgot about the second batch, so it burned a little, but is perfectly crunchy. I’ll make these more often, and get the timing right, and probably spread out more. Thanks for the recipe Sam! It’s perfect! I love crunchy things.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Katie! 🙂
Shikha
Can dis be made eggless substituting the eggs for flaxmeal?
Sam
Unfortunately I am not sure how it will turn out. If you do try it I would love to know how it goes. 🙂
Nanette
This recipe is incredible! Always a hit. Thank you. I want to try a red velvet version, should I just omit the chocolate chips?
Sam
Hi Nanette! I haven’t tried a red velvet version, but you can definitely leave the chocolate chips out without issue. 🙂
Judy
What size cookie sheets were used for this recipe. Than you.
Sam
Hi Judy! I use a standard half size 13 x 18. 🙂
Joy
Love these!! I was wondering if you or anyone else has tried to make them with almond flour. a lot of my family is gluten free. thank you!
Sam
Hi Joy! I have not tried almond flour but maybe someone else can chime in with some help. 🙂
Ashley
This recipe is amazing! Thank you so much! I am completely addicted. I used regular Hershey’s cocoa powder and semi sweet chocolate chips and it was absolutely perfect. I also topped mine with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Ashley! 🙂
Sara
Hi, thank you for the recipe!
Can I substitute the butter for oil?
Sam
Hi Sara! I don’t recommend it here as the final product isn’t nearly as good. 🙂
Laurie H
Hi! Just made these. What is the best way to store them? Thanks for sharing!! They’re great!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you for trying my recipe, Laurie! I am glad that you enjoyed it! You will want to store these in an airtight container at room temperature. 🙂
Jules
Hi Sam, can I sprinkle some chopped walnuts on top of the brownie batter after spreading it thin?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Jules! Yes, that should be fine. I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
Lala
Hi, i tried this recipe and idk why my sugar is not dissolving on the brownies.
I follow the recipe correctly. Idk what went wrong.
Sam
I’m sorry I’m not quite sure I understand what’s going on here. Did you bake the brownie bark and have lumps of sugar remaining when you bit into it? If this is the case, is it possible there was too much sugar added?
Jamice Williams
Oh my!! So yummy and easy to make. My husband is absolutely going to be happy tonight!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the brownie bark, Jamice! I hope that your husband does too! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Chelle
making my second batch! Frist batch a few days ago; and they are so addictilicious!!! This second batch is for my daughter’s youth fellowship Christmas party… i think it will be very teens friendly!! 🙂
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the brownie bark, Chelle! I hope that the teens do too! Good Luck with your second batch! 🙂