This Pioneer Woman Chuckwagon Brownies recipe is a rich and fudgy recipe, which is made with two kinds of chocolate and a hint of espresso powder for a deep, indulgent flavor. It’s the ultimate decadent treat, ready in about 1 hour.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Chuckwagon Brownies Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
How To Make Pioneer Woman Chuckwagon Brownies
- Prep Oven and Melt Butter: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. In a medium saucepan, melt the 2 sticks of butter over medium heat until it is just bubbling, then remove it from the heat.
- Combine Sugars and Chocolate: Whisk the granulated sugar and powdered sugar into the hot butter until smooth. Add the chopped bittersweet chocolate and continue to stir off the heat until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is glossy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Stir in the eggs and vanilla extract until they are fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and a pinch of kosher salt. Mix only until the ingredients are just incorporated.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the chopped semisweet chocolate evenly over the top. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the center is just set.
- Cool and Cut: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once they are completely cool, cut them into 16 pieces to serve.

Recipe Tips
- How to get the fudgiest brownies? The key is not to overbake them. Pull the brownies from the oven when the center is just set but still very soft. A toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs, not completely clean. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Why use room temperature eggs? Allowing your eggs to come to room temperature before mixing helps them incorporate more evenly into the batter, resulting in a smoother, more uniform texture.
- How do I avoid a lumpy batter? Sifting the cocoa powder before adding it to the batter will help prevent lumps and ensure a smooth texture. Also, make sure you stir the bittersweet chocolate into the hot butter mixture off the heat until it is completely melted and smooth.
- How do I get clean, neat slices? You must let the brownies cool completely before cutting them. If you try to slice them while they are still warm, they will be too gooey and will crumble. For extra-clean cuts, you can chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
What To Serve With Chuckwagon Brownies
These rich, decadent brownies are a perfect treat on their own.
- A tall glass of cold milk
- A hot cup of coffee to complement the espresso flavor
- A scoop of vanilla bean or coffee ice cream
How To Store Chuckwagon Brownies
- Store: Keep the cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and fudgy for up to 4 days.
Chuckwagon Brownies Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 322 kcal
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Sugar: 25g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What does the espresso powder do?
The instant espresso powder doesn’t make the brownies taste like coffee. Instead, it deepens and enhances the flavor of the chocolate, making them taste even richer and more complex.
Can I use a different kind of chocolate?
Yes. If you don’t have bittersweet chocolate, you can use semi-sweet. For the topping, you can use chocolate chips instead of chopped chocolate
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely. A cup of chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition. You can either sprinkle them on top with the semisweet chocolate or fold them into the batter at the end.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Mocha Brownies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Beet Brownies Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chuckwagon Brownies Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy16
servings25
minutes25
minutes322
kcalA rich, decadent, and fudgy brownie recipe made with two kinds of chocolate and a hint of espresso powder for an intensely chocolatey flavor.
Ingredients
2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter
1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
⅓ cup powdered sugar
4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup cocoa powder
1 tbsp instant espresso powder
Pinch of kosher salt
8 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter. Remove from heat and whisk in the granulated and powdered sugars.
- Stir in the bittersweet chocolate until it is completely melted and smooth.
- Stir in the eggs and vanilla.
- Fold in the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and salt until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the semisweet chocolate over the top.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the center is just set.
- Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Do not overbake the brownies; this is the key to their fudgy texture.
- Let the brownies cool completely before cutting for clean, neat slices.
- Sifting the cocoa powder will help prevent lumps in the batter.
- Using room temperature eggs will result in a smoother batter.