Ultimate Fudgy Chocolate Oreo Brownies: The Best Easy Homemade Recipe
Prepare to fall in love with these irresistibly fudgy Chocolate Oreo Brownies! This easy-to-follow, from-scratch recipe creates a decadent dessert that’s rich in cocoa flavor, studded with melty chocolate chips, and crowned with crunchy Oreo cookies. Forget complicated baking – these homemade delights come together in less than an hour, offering a perfect blend of chewy and soft textures with every bite.
My journey to crafting the perfect Oreo brownie involved a delightful series of experiments. I tried placing Oreos within the batter, lining them at the bottom of the pan, and finally, layering them on top. The verdict? Adding the crushed Oreos to the top right before baking is, without a doubt, the superior method. This approach ensures the cookies retain their delightful crunch, avoiding any dreaded sogginess. These brownies are now a staple in my kitchen, standing proudly alongside other beloved treats like my Oreo Cupcakes (With Cake Mix) and rich Oreo Fudge (Cookies and Cream Fudge).
Why You’ll Love These Fudgy Oreo Brownies
There are countless reasons why these chocolate Oreo brownies will become your go-to recipe:
- Unmatched Fudginess: This recipe delivers that coveted dense, moist, and intensely fudgy texture that defines a perfect brownie.
- Effortlessly Easy: With simple steps and common pantry ingredients, even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results.
- Quick to Prepare: From start to finish, you can have these brownies ready to enjoy in less than an hour, making them ideal for last-minute cravings or spontaneous gatherings.
- Crunchy Oreo Perfection: The Oreos are added on top, ensuring they stay crisp and provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft brownie base.
- Deep Chocolate Flavor: A generous amount of high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips guarantees a rich, satisfying chocolate experience.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with various Oreo flavors, additional mix-ins, or your favorite toppings to create endless variations.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies and cream brownies are always a hit, whether you’re bringing them to a potluck, serving them at a party, or simply enjoying them at home with family.
Key Ingredients for Ultimate Cookies and Cream Brownies
Crafting the perfect fudgy brownie starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s what you’ll need to create these irresistible cookies and cream brownies:
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of the brownies. It’s crucial for achieving that rich, moist base and helps carry the chocolate flavor. Ensure it’s softened or melted as directed for smooth incorporation.
- Granulated Sugar: This recipe specifically calls for white granulated sugar, which contributes to the shiny, crackly top often associated with fudgy brownies. It provides sweetness and structure without making the brownies overly chewy like brown sugar would.
- Cocoa Powder: The heart of any good chocolate brownie! Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a deep, intense chocolate flavor. This is what gives these brownies their signature rich dark hue and powerful cocoa punch.
- Large Eggs: Room temperature eggs are vital for a smooth, emulsified batter. They act as a binder, provide structure, and contribute to the fudgy texture and overall richness of the brownies. Using cold eggs can cause the butter to seize up.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract enhances the chocolate notes, adding warmth and depth to the flavor profile. It’s a classic pairing that elevates the entire dessert.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough flour is used to provide structure without making the brownies cakey. We aim for a dense, fudgy texture, so precise measurement here is key to avoid a dry or crumbly result.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These little gems melt into pockets of extra chocolatey goodness, adding another layer of sweetness and a delightful textural contrast. They ensure every bite is bursting with chocolate.
- Oreo Cookies: The star of the show! Roughly crushed Oreo cookies provide a fantastic crunch and iconic cookies and cream flavor. Placing them on top ensures they maintain their crispness during baking.
How to Make Easy Oreo Brownies Recipe from Scratch?
Follow these simple steps for perfectly fudgy and delicious Oreo brownies:
1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, add the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder. This forms the rich base of your brownie batter.
2. Melt and Mix: Heat the mixture in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each. Continue until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. This helps to dissolve the sugar and ensure a consistent batter.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Introduce the room temperature eggs and vanilla extract to the chocolate mixture. Room temperature eggs are key for a smooth batter that won’t seize the butter.
4. Achieve Smoothness: Mix the batter vigorously with a spatula until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is perfectly smooth and uniform. This step ensures a consistent texture throughout your brownies.
5. Fold in Dry Ingredients & Chips: Gently dump in the all-purpose flour and chocolate chips. Be careful not to over-mix at this stage.
6. Mix Until Just Combined: Using a spatula, mix only until the flour streaks disappear and the chocolate chips are evenly distributed. Over-mixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough brownies instead of fudgy ones. Don’t worry if some chocolate chips melt slightly into the warm batter.
7. Prepare for Baking: Pour the smooth brownie batter into an 8×8 inch square pan that has been lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly greased. This ensures easy removal after baking. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly across the pan.
8. Top with Oreos: Generously sprinkle the roughly chopped Oreos over the top of the brownie batter. Gently pat them down with a rubber spatula so they adhere slightly to the surface. This ensures they stay in place and crisp up beautifully during baking.
Bake and Cool: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. Remember the crucial “toothpick test” for fudgy brownies: it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean. Allow the brownies to cool completely to room temperature before slicing for clean, perfect squares. Enjoy!
Variations to Customize Your Oreo Brownies
While this classic Oreo brownie recipe is phenomenal on its own, don’t hesitate to get creative! Here are some exciting variations to try:
- Brownie Box Mix Shortcut: In a pinch, you can still enjoy these! Prepare your favorite brownie box mix according to package directions, then stir in 1.5 cups of roughly chopped Oreos before spreading into the pan and baking.
- Add a Luscious Frosting: Though these fudgy brownies are rich enough, a layer of frosting can elevate them further. Consider my Classic American Buttercream Frosting for a smooth, sweet finish.
- Cheesecake Swirl or Topping: Introduce a tangy cheesecake dimension! Swirl in some plain cream cheese batter before baking, or once cooled, top with a generous layer of Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting or Classic Cream Cheese Frosting.
- Experiment with Oreo Flavors: The world of Oreos is vast! Beyond the classic, try seasonal flavors like mint, peanut butter, or even red velvet Oreos for a unique twist. Golden Oreos are also a fantastic option for a vanilla “cookies and cream” experience.
- Brownie Cupcakes: For individual portions, scoop the batter into lined cupcake tins. Press a few crushed Oreos on top of each before baking until set. These are perfect for parties or portion control.
- “Stuffed” Oreo Brownies: For an extra surprise, spread half the brownie batter in your prepared pan, arrange a layer of whole or crushed Oreos in the middle, then cover with the remaining batter and bake.
- Nutty Crunch: Replace or complement the chocolate chips with your favorite chopped nuts. Pecans, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, or almonds add a delightful earthy crunch and flavor.
- Different Chocolate Chip Flavors: Don’t limit yourself to semisweet! White chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, butterscotch morsels, or even peanut butter chips can completely transform the flavor profile.
- Sweet and Salty Twist: If you adore the contrast of sweet and salty, sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of flaky sea salt over the top of the brownies just before baking, or directly onto the cooled slices.
Tips and Techniques for Perfect Fudgy Brownies
Achieving truly fudgy, delicious brownies is simple when you follow these key tips and techniques:
- Always Line Your Pan: To prevent sticking and ensure easy removal, always line your baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Leave an overhang on the sides to create “handles” for lifting the cooled brownies out effortlessly. Lightly grease the lining as well.
- Quality Cocoa Powder Makes a Difference: For the richest, most intense chocolate flavor, invest in high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder. This is different from hot cocoa mix or hot chocolate powder, which contain sugar and other additives.
- Unsalted Butter is Best: Stick to unsalted butter in this recipe. This allows you to control the exact amount of salt in your brownies, ensuring they are perfectly sweet without being overly salty.
- Do Not Over-Bake: The Fudginess Secret! This is perhaps the most critical tip for fudgy brownies. Your brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist, sticky crumbs clinging to it. If the toothpick comes out completely clean, your brownies are over-baked and will be dry and cakey.
- Granulated Sugar for That Signature Top: Do not substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar. Granulated sugar is essential for achieving the shiny, crackly crust on top of fudgy brownies, while brown sugar will result in a chewier, more cake-like texture.
- Patience is a Virtue – Cool Completely: It’s tempting to cut into warm brownies, but for the best texture and cleanest slices, allow them to cool completely to room temperature. This allows the brownies to set properly, resulting in perfectly formed, straight-edged squares.
Brownie Add-ins and Toppings for Endless Delights
Elevate your Oreo brownies with these fantastic add-ins and decadent toppings, transforming them into an even more spectacular dessert:
- Melty Marshmallows: Stir some mini marshmallows into the brownie batter during the last mixing stage, or sprinkle them on top during the last 5-10 minutes of baking for a gooey, toasted marshmallow layer.
- Diverse Chocolate Chips: Go beyond semisweet! Experiment with white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, butterscotch, mint chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for a customized flavor experience.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: For a delightful chocolate and peanut butter combination, swirl some melted creamy peanut butter into the brownie batter with a knife just before baking.
- Nutella Indulgence: Warm about ½ cup of Nutella until it’s pourable, then drizzle and swirl it generously over the brownie batter with a butter knife before it goes into the oven. Alternatively, for a no-bake topping, drizzle Nutella Syrup over the cooled brownies.
- Biscoff or Cookie Butter Bliss: Similar to Nutella, gently heat about ½ cup of Biscoff spread or cookie butter. Swirl it over the brownie batter with a toothpick just before baking for a warm, spiced, and utterly delicious addition.
- Fabulous Frostings: While these brownies are rich on their own, a layer of frosting can make them extra special. Consider light and airy Easy Funfetti Frosting, creamy White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, or fluffy Marshmallow Frosting.
- Cookie Dough Layer: For the ultimate dessert mashup, prepare a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (eggless) and drop spoonfuls over the brownie batter before baking. You might need to add an extra 10-12 minutes to the baking time, but the resulting cookie dough brownies are incredibly worth it!
- Warm Hot Fudge: Drizzle warm Hot Fudge Sauce (Chocolate Fudge Sauce) over your cooled brownies just before serving for an extra layer of chocolatey richness that truly takes them over the top.
- Silky Caramel Sauce: A generous drizzle of Homemade Caramel Sauce adds a luscious, buttery sweetness. For a similar flavor profile, try Homemade Dulce De Leche.
- Fluffy Whipped Cream: A dollop of Homemade Stabilized Whipped Cream, Chocolate Whipped Cream, or elegant Chantilly Cream adds a light, refreshing contrast to the dense brownies.
- Ice Cream or Gelato: Serve your fudgy brownies warm with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or gelato. Vanilla bean, coffee, or even my unique Snow Ice Cream would be heavenly!
Recipe FAQs
Dry and crumbly brownies are almost always a sign of over-baking. Unlike many other baked goods where a clean toothpick indicates doneness, fudgy brownies require the toothpick to come out with some moist, sticky crumbs attached. This ensures they remain moist and dense. Additionally, sometimes too much flour or other dry ingredients can contribute to a dry texture, so ensure accurate measurements.
If your brownies are raw in the middle, they likely need more time to cook through in the oven. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate (an oven thermometer can help!) and that you’re baking for the recommended duration. Another culprit could be adding too much of the wet ingredients, which can throw off the batter’s consistency and increase baking time significantly. Make sure to follow the recipe’s ingredient ratios carefully.
While this specific recipe uses all-purpose flour, you can often adapt it to be gluten-free by substituting the regular flour with a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum or add ¼ teaspoon yourself. Also, double-check that your Oreos (or any alternative cookies) are certified gluten-free if strict adherence is necessary, as traditional Oreos contain wheat.
Storage
Proper storage ensures your fudgy Oreo brownies remain fresh and delicious:
- Refrigerate: For optimal freshness and to keep them firm, place leftover brownies in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This helps maintain their fudgy texture.
- Freeze: These brownies freeze wonderfully! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. Be mindful that if any moisture gets into the container, the Oreos might become slightly softer upon thawing, though still delicious. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave.
- Room Temperature: If you plan to consume them within 1-2 days, you can store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. Ensure they are kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for making in advance! Prepare the brownies 1-2 days beforehand, allow them to cool completely, then store them in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to serve.
More Irresistible Oreo Desserts to Try
If you can’t get enough of that classic cookies and cream flavor, be sure to explore these other fantastic Oreo-inspired recipes:
- Easy Chocolate Oreo Cake
- Oreo Truffles (Oreo Balls)
- No Bake Oreo Pie
- Cookies and Cream Cake
- Refrigerator Cake (Chocolate Oreo Icebox Cake)
Recipe Card
Fudgy Oreo Brownies (Easy)
Abeer Rizvi
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter +2 tablespoon butter, Unsalted
- 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
- ¾ cup Cocoa powder
- 2 Eggs Large, Room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup Chocolate chips Semisweet
- 12 Oreos Roughly chopped
Instructions
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In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, add butter, sugar, cocoa powder and heat in microwave at 30 second increments (mixing between each round) until the butter has fully melted and you have a smooth mixture.
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Add eggs, vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.
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Add flour, chocolate chips and mix until just combined. Don’t over-mix! Some of the chocolate chips might melt, depending on how warm your mixture is. Don’t worry about that.
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Pour batter in a square pan (Dimensions: 8×8) lined with aluminum foil and greased with oil or just use parchment paper. Spread batter evenly with a spatula.
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Add chopped Oreos on top and pat them down tightly with a rubber spatula.
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Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with a few sticky crumbs. If there are no sticky crumbs, you have over-baked the brownies.
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Allow the brownies to fully cool to room temperature before cutting slices. Enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Replace semisweet chocolate chips with other flavors such as white, milk, dark, butterscotch e.t.c.
- You must use unsalted butter.
- I don’t add any salt in this recipe but you can add ¼ teaspoon sea salt if you like.
- Don’t over-bake brownies because that would make them dry and crumbly.
- Instead of the classic Oreo cookies, try other seasonal flavors.
- Don’t replace granulated sugar with brown sugar because that results in a more chewy brownie.
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 33g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 36mg
Sodium: 103mg
Potassium: 92mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 24g
Vitamin A: 215IU
Calcium: 16mg
Iron: 1.7mg
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
We hope you enjoy these Ultimate Fudgy Chocolate Oreo Brownies as much as we do! They are a true testament to how simple ingredients and a straightforward process can yield an absolutely show-stopping dessert. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe is guaranteed to bring a smile to every face. Happy baking!