When you crave something chocolaty and comforting, it’s hard to think of anything better than a quick batch of brownies. Well, what if the recipe took days to make? Could 100-hour brownies be worth the wait?
This question was on everyone’s mind after Alvin Zhou, a producer for BuzzFeed’s Tasty videos, shared “100-Hour Fudgy Brownies” on his YouTube channel. The video shows Alvin steadily moving through the steps to make his brownies, like browning butter, whipping eggs and chopping chocolate, before stashing his brownies away for an excruciatingly long wait.
Fans of this 100-hour brownie recipe have spoken, saying that they’re the best brownies ever. Well, we had to find out for ourselves.
How to Make 100-Hour Brownies
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Ingredients
Butter mixture:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder
- 1 coffee ice cube
Batter mixture:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla paste or extract
- 2-1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 8 ounces 75% cacao chocolate, melted
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Chopped chocolate:
- 3-1/2 ounces chopped milk chocolate
- 3-1/2 ounces chopped 75% cacao chocolate
- 6 ounces chopped 75% cacao chocolate, for the topping
Editor’s Tip: This is the difference between natural and Dutch-processed cocoa powders.
Making the Brownie Batter
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Alvin Zhou’s recipe begins by browning the butter to give it a deeper color and flavor. Don’t skip this step because it adds so much to the brownie experience. (Follow this guide to learn how to brown butter if it’s your first time.) Espresso powder is then stirred into the browned butter, which blooms the flavor, along with a coffee ice cube to cool the mixture.
While the butter cools, eggs and sugar are whipped until light before adding the cocoa powder, more espresso powder, salt, flour and melted chocolate. The espresso-butter mixture is then stirred in to create a ridiculously rich batter.
Stir in the chopped dark and milk chocolate pieces, then spoon the batter into a pan—13×9-in. for thin brownies, or an 8-in. square pan for thicker slabs. The final step is to sprinkle more chopped, dark chocolate over the top.
The First Wait
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Here’s the hard part: You have to wrap that pan and put it in the fridge for three days.
You read that right. These brownies get chilled for 72 hours. If you’re like me your first question is why—why do we have to wait so long?! I asked Taste Of Home Test Kitchen experts to weigh in.
The long chill will allow the flavors more time to “marinate together,” says senior food stylist Shannon Norris. She adds that having cold batter will also keep it from over-baking.
Deputy culinary editor James Schend told me that the long rest will also let flour fully hydrate, giving the batter a deeper color and creating brownies that are dense and moist.
Bake, Then Wait Again
After three days in the refrigerator, it’s time to bake. They go straight into a 350°F oven to bake for 30 minutes (or 45 minutes if you’re making thicker brownies in a square pan.) When you pull the pan from the oven, the brownies will be wobbly in the center, so you know they’re going to be fudgy.
And then comes another long wait. Cover the top of the pan in foil and pop the hot pan into the freezer for 30 minutes. Alvin Zhou says he learned this trick from a pastry chef to help keep moisture in the brownies. After 30 minutes, the brownies go back into the fridge for 24 hours, to cool all the way through and set the texture.
The Final Result
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
All that waiting was really hard, but you know what? The brownies were absolutely incredible.
To really understand the difference, we made two batches of this recipe: the 100-hour version and one baked right after mixing. When you put the sliced brownies from each batch side by side, you can see the difference. The normal brownies have the cakier crumb texture you expect, and because the top sank as the brownies cooled they were chewy, too.
But the 100-hour brownies? As our Test Kitchen experts predicted, these brownies were fudgy with a texture so soft and smooth it was almost mousse-like.
The flavor was so deep, buttery and chocolaty, it really was exquisite. The chunks of milk and dark chocolate inside were lovely to sink our teeth into. We also noticed that the dark chocolate in the normal batch retained its bitterness, but in the 100-hour brownies, the bitterness was gone.
Nancy Mock for Taste of Home
Would We Make 100-Hour Brownies Again?
Even for such ridiculously delicious brownies, four days of prep isn’t always an option. But for special occasions? Yes, we would absolutely make 100-hour brownies again! They’re one of those dessert experiences that people will love to say they’ve been a part of.
Even for our normal brownie cravings, this recipe teaches us some techniques worth remembering for a flavor that that excels. Using nutty and fragrant browned butter, adding coffee or espresso powder and adding a blend of milk and dark chocolates make a more flavorful creation. Resting the batter before baking will let flavors meld and deepen, even if it can’t be a full 72 hours. And chilling the brownies after baking will help with that fudginess.
Then we can finally take a bite and sink into a delightful, dreamy brownie haze!
Our Best Brownie Recipes
Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies
As someone who grew up in the country, I love getting out into nature whenever I can. I also love home-style recipes, including these yummy brownies. —Carol Prewett, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Go to Recipe
Chocolate Mint BrowniesOne of the best things about this recipe is that these mint chocolate brownies get moister if you leave them in the refrigerator for a day or two. The problem at our house is that no one can leave them alone for that long! —Helen Baines, Elkton, Maryland
Also, check if you can freeze brownies if you wish to keep these fudgy delicacies for later.
Caramel BrowniesI love to cook. My family can't possibly eat all the sweets I whip up, so my co-workers are more than happy to sample them—particularly these rich, chewy caramel brownies that are full of gooey caramel, chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts. —Clara Bakke, Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Chocolate Syrup BrowniesThese chocolate syrup brownies are a favorite for summer picnics. I received the recipe from a dear friend many years ago, and I still make it at least once a month. Whenever I'm asked to bring a dessert to an outing or I want to send a treat to a neighbor or friend, I prepare these wonderful bars. —Goldie Hanke, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Frosted Fudge BrowniesA neighbor brought over a pan of these rich fudge brownies along with the recipe when I came home from the hospital with our baby daughter. I asked her how to make brownie frosting like that, and I've made them ever since for family occasions, potlucks and parties at work. —Sue Soderlund, Elgin, Illinois
Cappuccino Cake BrowniesIf you like your sweets with a cup of coffee, this recipe is good for you! These no-nut brownies combine a mild coffee flavor with the richness of semisweet chocolate chips. They're a quick and easy dessert or anytime snack at our house.
—Mary Houchin
Swansea, Illinois
Chocolate Crunch BrowniesThe first time I took these brownies to work, I knew I'd better start making copies of the recipe—they disappeared fast! My husband and kids gobble them up quickly, too. —Pat Mueller, Mitchell, South Dakota
Layered Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter BrowniesA friend gave me the recipe for these layered brownies, but I added my own touch--chunky peanut butter. Every time I take these to a group gathering, I get requests for the recipe. It's a real crowd-pleaser! —Judy Sims, Weatherford, Texas
Fudgy Oat BrowniesThese cakelike brownies have a rich, crunchy oat crust and a smooth homemade chocolate frosting. A packaged brownie mix makes the recipe easy to prepare. You can make it even easier by using canned frosting. —Diana Otterson, Canandaigua, New York
Cinnamon BrowniesFor Christmas one year, a friend gave us a pan of these delicious brownies. Before I figured out their secret was cinnamon, half the pan was already gone! —Gail Mehle, Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Hungry for more? Here’s our list of
Christmas brownies that are a must at the dessert table.
Fudge-Topped BrowniesIf you love brownies
and fudge, why not combine the two? Mix up a pan of these exquisite brownies for any holiday or special gathering—or just when you want to treat yourself to the ultimate chocolate dessert.
—Judy Olson, Whitecourt, Alberta
Cookies & Cream BrowniesYou won't want to frost these brownies, since the marbled top is too pretty to cover up. Besides, the indulgent cream cheese layer makes them taste as if they're already frosted. The crushed cookies add extra chocolate flavor and a fun crunch. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Cream Cheese Swirl BrowniesI'm a chocolate lover, and these cream cheese brownies have satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can't be beat. My family requests them often, and I'm happy to oblige. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming
Candy Bar BrowniesThe two kinds of candy bars baked into these brownies make them an extra-special treat. —Sharon Evans, Clear Lake, Iowa
Peppermint BrowniesMy grandmother encouraged me to enter these mint brownies in the county fair some years ago—and they earned top honors! They're a delicious treat to serve during the holidays. —Marcy Greenblatt, Redding, California
Candy Bar Cheesecake BrowniesI came up with these brownies as a way to use up my son's leftover Halloween candy. You can tint the cream cheese orange for a spooky touch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah
Fudge Brownie PieHere's a fun and festive way to serve brownies. Family and friends will love topping their pieces with whipped cream and strawberries. —Johnnie McLeod, Bastrop, Louisiana
Coffee 'n' Cream BrowniesA friend gave me the recipe for these rich cakelike brownies topped with a creamy coffee-enhanced filling and a chocolate glaze. I like to garnish each square with a coffee bean. —Michelle Tiemstra, Lacombe, Alberta
Cookie Dough BrowniesWhen I take these rich brownies to any get-together, I carry the recipe, too, because it always gets requested. Children of all ages love the tempting "cookie dough" filling. This special treat is typically the first to be gone from the buffet table—even before the entrees! —Wendy Bailey, Elida, Ohio
Black Bean BrowniesYou’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
Broadway Brownie BarsI named these dessert bars for Broadway because they're a hit every time I serve them. I especially like to make them as a gift for anyone with a sweet tooth! —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York
Double Chocolate Orange BrowniesI have to give my husband credit for this idea—since we love chocolate and orange together, he suggested I come up with this recipe. Now they're not only his favorite, but also the whole family's. I'm always asked to bake these brownies for family gatherings. —Elinor Townsend, North Grafton, Massachusetts
Mini Brownie TreatsI like to take these quick and easy treats to potlucks and family gatherings. They're always well received! —Pam Kokes, North Loup, Nebraska
Double Chocolate Coconut BrowniesThanks to a head start from a mix, it's easy to bake up these crowd-pleasing treats. It's hard to stop at just one brownie, but don't worry—my recipe makes 30 servings! —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Banana Split BrowniesHow’s this for a dish? All the joy of a banana split without the mess. Everything in this recipe fits into one pan of delectable brownie bars. —Constance Sheckler, Chestertown, Maryland
Fudgy S'mores BrowniesI combined the perfect summer snack with my favorite brownie recipe to get these s'mores brownies. They're sure to wow at your next big party. —Judy Cunningham, Max, North Dakota
Frosted Brownie PizzaIt's impossible to eat just one piece of this dessert pizza with a chewy, chocolaty crust, creamy peanut butter frosting and mouthwatering sweet and crunchy toppings. It's warmly received wherever I take it. —Paula Riehl, Boise, Idaho
Chewy Cream Cheese BrowniesBrownies are a common dessert in our household—they're just about the only form of chocolate my husband will eat! I love this version. It makes a big batch and has a rich cream cheese layer in the center. —Barbara Nitcznski, Denver, Colorado
Turtle BrowniesHomemade turtle brownies are a sweet addition to the appetizer table on game day. Your guests might forget the score, but I guarantee they'll remember these treats! —Sherry Miller, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Up Next,
learn how to make hot chocolate brownies just like Christina Tosi, queen of sweet treats and nostalgic flavors.
