Why do you put salt in brownies?

Boxed brownies are delicious on their own, but if you want to cut the sweetness and elevate the flavor , there's a simple ingredient in your kitchen to do the trick: A pinch of salt. It works in the same way that your other sweet-and-salty food combinations do, like peanut butter pretzels.

Is salted butter better for brownies?

Baking recipes typically call for unsalted butter because the amount of salt in salted butter varies depending on the brand – there is no “industry standard.” For example, if you use one brand of salted butter in a recipe, and we use another, our baked goods could end up tasting very different from one other.

What is a substitute for salt in brownies?

As a general rule for sweet recipes, 1 tsp. kosher salt can be substituted with 2 tsp. soy sauce without adversely affecting the finished product. And don't worry—your baked goods won't taste like soy sauce, but they will have an undetectable note that will have people coming back for seconds.

Why do you put butter in brownies?

In some cakes, brownies and cookies, melted butter adds richness to dough and allows ingredients to blend together easily . Melted-butter desserts are often very simple for new cooks to make, and the desserts often require no special equipment.

What happens if you accidentally use salted butter in brownies?

If you are using salted butter in a brownie mix, the brownies will probably taste a little too salty , because salt has already been added to the dry mix. If you only have salted butter, it would probably be better to just use vegetable oil instead.

What happens if you use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Both salted butter and unsalted butter can be used interchangeably in any recipe , but if the recipe calls specifically for unsalted butter, it's probably because the recipe has been tested with it and is preferred for that particular recipe.

What to do if you put too much salt in brownies?

Squeeze some lemon juice or orange juice over your dish . The sour flavor provides a new layer of complexity to the meal and should mellow out the salt. Drizzle in a mild vinegar like all-purpose vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar to help mask the salt with acidity by distracting the taste buds.

What happens if you forget salt in brownies?

A comment on Reddit pretty much sums up what the simple addition of salt can do to your brownies: " Salt on sweets won't necessarily be missed if you forget it but it makes things great when it's included ." Per The Kitchn, salt will help balance the taste of your homemade brownies as well as amp up the flavors of the ...

What is the purpose of salt in a baking recipe?

Salt plays multiple roles in our recipes: It brings out the flavors of other ingredients, aids with browning, helps control the growth of yeast in yeasted doughs, and strengthens the gluten and gliadin proteins found in wheat flour to give our doughs strength and structure.

Why does salt make dessert taste better?

So why is salt so good with sweet things? Scientific research has shown that salt actually increases the ability of your tongue receptors to detect sweetness and on top of that, it blocks the taste of bitterness . Put simply, it is a natural flavour enhancer.

Why do you add salt to chocolate?

Therefore, when you are adding a pinch of salt to your chocolate, not only are you balancing the flavours of the cacao beans, but the salt is literally acting as a detector, locating the sweeter notes of the chocolate and enhancing them to form a delicious tasting sweet treat !

German Chocolate Brownies Recipe | Old Salt Farm (2024)

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Rich and decadent, these simple German Chocolate Brownies have a toasted coconut pecan frosting that will knock your socks off!

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I’m warning you now…be prepared to eat the whole pan of these German Chocolate Brownies. They are that good! Dress up your favorite box mix or homemade brownies with a decadent toasted pecan frosting that absolutely changes everything. So easy, you’ll want to make them all the time!

German Chocolate Brownies Recipe | Old Salt Farm (1)

German Chocolate Brownies became a family favorite during Covid, when I was going through all of my old cookbooks. I baked a lot during that time! Lemon Meltaways, No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars, and Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread were all on repeat, plus more. I knew I hit gold when I discovered this recipe, and I never turned back! They quickly disappear every time I make them. And they’re not just a hit with my family–everyone who has them, loves them. My words are simply not good enough to explain how scrumptious this frosting is!

I always love brownies, but the thing that really pushes these over the edge is the toasted coconut frosting (German chocolate frosting). It’s ooey, gooey, chock full of toasted pecans and coconut, and the definite star of this recipe. The flavor is out of this world! They’re easy and simple enough to make anytime, and at the same time, fancy enough to serve for company or to take to a party! if you love German chocolate cake, this is a fudgier version that you have to try.

Ingredients
Equipment
How to make
FAQ
More dessert recipes

German Chocolate Brownies Recipe | Old Salt Farm (2)

Ingredients

The best part is that they’re so easy to make. I’m including the brownie recipe I usually use but you can actually use any brownie recipe you love. Or you can use a favorite brownie mix if you’re in a hurry, or already have one on hand. I’ve made them both ways, and with that delectable frosting on the top, they’ll be divine no matter what.

My favorite homemade brownies are the World’s Best Fudgiest Brownies and they are my go-to recipe. They’re fast and easy to make, and the brownie batter is delicious… you will want to lick the spoon clean. You’ll need the basics:

Flour, sugar, brown sugar, unsalted butter, eggs, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips.

The frosting recipe is enough to cover a 9×13 pan of brownies, so you can cut it in half if you’re doing a smaller 8×8 square baking pan. I like a lot of frosting, so even when I’m making a smaller pan (8×8), I’ll still do 3/4 of the recipe.

You can also use your favorite boxed brownies, and I usually use Ghirardelli brand. I think a fudgier brownie as opposed to a cake brownie works best with this frosting, but it really is a personal preference.

To make the frosting, you’ll need:

Chopped pecans
Egg yolks
Sugar
Butter
Heavy Cream
Salt
Vanilla
Sweetened Coconut Flakes

German Chocolate Brownies Recipe | Old Salt Farm (3)

Equipment

TIP: Consider using a metal pan instead of a glass pan when making brownies, for more even heat transfer, resulting in a more evenly baked result.

German Chocolate Brownies Recipe | Old Salt Farm (4)

How to make

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil or parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the edges–then spray with cooking spray.

Spread the nuts on a rimmed cookie sheet, or in a pie plate. Toast in the oven until very lightly browned, about 5-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

FAQ

Can I use this frosting on store-bought brownies too?

Yes! While I prefer homemade or a boxed mix, this frosting will dress up any brownies, including from the store.

They’re pretty much a staple for not just our family, but when I need to take a dessert somewhere, or when I want to drop off a treat to a friend or neighbor. I also love them for the holidays, and they’re perfect for any treat plate for Christmas goodies plates you’re putting together.

More dessert recipes

Lemon Meltaways Cookies
Sheet Pan Chocolate Chip Cookies
English Toffee Bars

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