This is a recipe I came up with the idea for Root Beer Fudge Brownies while experimenting with root beer extract. They went over very well with tasters, but I admit I haven't made them since. I got kind of tired of root beer flavor, tbh. I'll probably make another batch soon and just use vanilla.
Root Beer Extract
If you decide to go with the root beer flavor, chances are it's because you already have some root beer extract and are looking for ways to use it. If you don't have the extract, you can find it at most grocery stores. For this recipe, I used a brand called Watkins which I bought a couple of years ago at a Wal*Mart back in Austin. It lasts a while!
Root Beer Fudge Brownies Pan Size
As mentioned, these are some thick brownies. I've only tested them in a 9 inch square pan and am quite sure they'd be way too thick in an 8 inch. You could probably use a 9x13 inch pan and adjust the baking time if you had to, but the brownies would no longer be thick. I recommend sticking with the 9 inch square pan.
Try them and let me know what you think. They're better with age, so be sure to let them sit in the refrigerator or freezer for a day before cutting.
Recipe
Root Beer Fudge Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into chunks (230 grams)
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped (84 grams)
- 1 cup dark or bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup granulated or ultrafine sugar (200 grams)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (210 grams)
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon root beer extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, measured by spooning into cup or weighing (128 grams)
- ½ teaspoon plus a pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅔ cup walnuts or pecans or a mix of both, toasted and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 inch square metal pan with nonstick foil.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, unsweetened chocolate and chocolate chips together at 50% power, stirring every 40-50 seconds, until mixture is melted and smooth. Alternatively, you may do this in a double boiler.
- Add the 1 cup of granulated sugar to the hot melted chocolate mixture and stir gently. Set aside.
- Whisk together the 1 cup of brown sugar with the 4 eggs. Whisk in the vanilla and root beer extract.
- With a heavy scraper, gradually stir the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture.
- Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. With the scraper, fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until smooth. Batter should be glossy and shiny. Stir in the nuts.
- Scrape the batter into the pan and bake on center rack for 35-38 minutes or until internal temperature of brownies registers 212.
- Allow the brownies to cool at room temperature, then cover with foil refrigerate overnight.
Anna says
Terry, maybe yours were a little underbaked (easy to do) or they just weren't for you. They are definitely dense and almost like fudge. They shouldn't be raw tasting, and they should be chewy. You might like this recipe (see link) better. These have a different texture -- not cakelike, but less dense.
https://www.cookiemadness.net/2008/04/dont-cry-for-me-argentina-im-making-brownies/
Terry says
I finally got around to making these yesterday. I tasted the batter as I said I would after the 1 tsp, and I couldn't taste the root beer. So, I put in another tsp. I still could barely taste it over all the chocolate! Ha Oh well...however...I had a heck of a time...I backed these for 45 minutes...I didn't use the thermometer, just my eyeballs...the outside edges..all around were getting over done. So I pulled them out. To me, these are raw in the center...just too thick...I used a 9 inch pan too. They rose, like a cake, I wasn't expecting that. And then this concentrate. I don't know what the taste is..not the flavoring of the root beer...my guess is the main ingredient in the concentrate. I can taste that and it's not very pleasant... boo. I'll try again in a 9 X 13 pan and I'll only use 1 tsp of root beer concentrate!
Sonya says
Anna, the security guards must have felt so appreciated... and lucky! I have seen Watkins extracts at all of my local Walmarts and Targets, though I have never looked specifically for root beer. Happy Baking!!!
Terry says
Thank you Anna! I was afraid that a concentrate was more potent than an extract. I'll use this...however I'm going to taste the batter! If it's not enough....well....you know.....pour in some more!
Anna says
Terry, I think you will be fine. I looked at Watkins site and they call it "Root Beer Concentrate Extract". I think they might have just changed the name from extract to concentrate because the one I linked you to looks just like mine but says "concentrate" instead of "extract" and Watkins no longer has an "extract" on their site. Also, the ingredients listed are pretty much the same except my extract lists "caramel color". Guess they took that out. At the end of the day, this is just a flavoring so you can use more or less to taste. Go ahead and use the 1 teaspoon of concentrate. If anything, the root beer flavor will be too subtle for you. If it's not strong enough, you can increase it the next time. Good luck!
Terry says
Anna, you linked me to concentrate. I know it says extract, however the bottle is what I have, Root beer Concentrate....?
Terry says
What's the difference? Should I keep this? Try it? How do I use it, instead of the extract? Or, do I just returned it. I'm bummed...boo
Anna says
Yup, mine is extract. Here's what it looks like. It's the same as this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Watkins-Imitation-Root-Beer-Extract/product-reviews/B004FDD1H2
Terry says
Question. Could you look at your bottle at verify that it's extract? My Watkins bottle is concentrate, they didn't have extract. Will it work the same?
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I am root beer obsessed. I must make these!
Anna says
Makes it easier to slice them into neat squares.
Marlene J. says
Your mention of the Watkins brand made me smile. Watkins is a very old Minnesota company. It got its start making liniment, but diversified into lots of items, including flavorings and extracts, lotions, etc. For years the products were sold door to door by the "Watkins man" who traveled around the country side. (I remember one coming to our small farm back in the 1950s.) It's still in business and has done a nice job playing on their nostalgic look and packaging. You can now find some of the Watkins lotions at Target, for example. Watkins vanilla was especially popular, and my mom usually purchased that. Their website does a good job of telling their story: https://www.jrwatkins.com, if you're interested in where the root beer extract originated.
Terry says
Yun? Haha....yum! Fat fingers on a phone! 🙂
Terry says
Yun! I don't have any root beer extract, sounds like a really good reason to get some! Ha Question, why the refrigeration?