What are brownies eaten with?

Brownies are a beloved baked dessert that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether homemade or store-bought, brownies make for a sweet treat that satisfies chocolate cravings. While brownies are delicious enough to eat on their own, they are also commonly served and eaten with a variety of accompaniments. The most popular items to eat brownies with include ice cream, milk, coffee, nuts, fruit, and whipped cream. The rich chocolate flavor of brownies pairs exceptionally well with many flavors and textures. Determining what to eat your brownies with depends on personal preferences and whether you want to enhance the chocolate taste or complement it with something new. This article explores the most common accompaniments for brownies to give you ideas on how to get the most enjoyment out of this classic dessert.

Table of Contents

Ice Cream

Ice cream is one of the most beloved and popular accompaniments for brownies. The cool, creamy texture of ice cream perfectly balances the dense, fudgy texture of brownies. The sweet flavors also complement each other well. Some of the most common ice cream choices to pair with brownies include:

Vanilla – Vanilla ice cream allows the chocolate brownie flavor to shine while adding a familiar creamy background.

Chocolate – Double down on chocolate flavor with chocolate ice cream on your brownie. The similar flavors enhance each other.
Cookie dough – The sweet dough chunks and vanilla ice cream offer great contrasting texture with the fudgy brownies.
Mint chocolate chip – The refreshing mint pairs surprisingly well with chocolate brownies for an invigorating flavor combo.

Rocky road – Brownies coated with marshmallow and nuts make for a fun and diverse textural experience.

You can enjoy brownies with ice cream in many ways. Some popular serving ideas include:

A brownie sundae – Top warm brownies with a scoop of ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

A brownie ice cream sandwich – Place a brownie base and add ice cream in the middle to make a handheld treat.
Brownie ice cream cake – Layer brownies, ice cream and more brownies then freeze to make a sliceable chocolate cake.
Milkshake – Blend brownie chunks and ice cream for a thick, chocolatey shake.

Ice cream and brownies merge into an iconic and crowd-pleasing combination. The options are nearly endless for different flavor and texture combos.

Milk

A cold glass of milk is a classic beverage pairing for chocolate brownies. The creamy milk helps cut through and balance the dense, rich chocolate flavor of brownies. Milk is also useful for helping wash down the chocolate and prevent an overly dry mouthfeel. Whole milk, 2 percent milk, skim milk or chocolate milk all taste great with brownies.

Some fun ways to enjoy brownies with milk include:

Dunking – Simply dunk your brownie bites directly into a tall glass of cold milk for a fun interactive experience.
Pairing – Enjoy sips of milk between brownie bites to cleanse your palate.
Milkshake – Blend milk and brownie chunks for a sweet shake.

Float – Top a glass of milk with a brownie slice and ice cream for a decadent float.

The nostalgic pairing of chocolate and milk makes for the perfect casual brownie enjoying experience. It’s a simple combination that lets the brownie flavor shine.

Coffee

Coffee is an ideal complement for chocolate brownies. The bittersweet flavor profile of coffee balances and enhances the sweet chocolate taste. The caffeine in coffee also pairs well with chocolate, providing an energizing dessert or afternoon pick-me-up. Some popular ways to enjoy brownies with coffee include:

With an espresso – Enjoy bites of brownie with sips of a bold, rich espresso.
With a cappuccino – The foamed milk softens and complements the intensity of the brownies.
With an iced coffee – Cool and refreshing iced coffee provides a nice contrast to the brownies.

As a mocha – Mixing brownie chunks into hot coffee creates a unique mocha flavor.

Coffee shops often sell brownies alongside coffee drinks, making it a natural pairing you see people enjoying. The chocolate and coffee combine for an indulgent dessert or snack.

Nuts

Nuts offer great textural contrast and flavor complement to brownies. Different types of nuts pair well with chocolate for added crunch and flavor. Some popular nuts to enjoy with brownies include:

Walnuts – The earthy, slightly bitter taste balances the sweetness.
Almonds – Subtle, nutty almonds add extra richness without overpowering.
Pecans – Buttery, aromatic pecans enhance the fudgy brownie base.

Peanuts – The classic peanutty crunch feels nostalgic and satisfying.
Hazelnuts – Delicate, sweet hazelnuts integrate nicely into chocolatey brownies.

You can mix nuts into the brownie batter before baking for nutty brownies. Or, add them as a fun topping by sprinkling over baked brownies right before serving. The nuts add great textural contrast on top and complement the chocolate flavor. Kids and adults alike will love the additional crunch and flavor nuts provide to this dessert.

Fruit

Fresh fruit is a bright, tart and healthy way to balance rich chocolate brownies. Different fruits also provide moisture to offset the dense brownie texture. Popular fruits to enjoy with brownies include:

Strawberries – Sweet, juicy strawberries with a touch of acidity pair amazingly with chocolate.
Bananas – Caramelized bananas on top lend their sweetness to brownies.

Raspberries – The slight tartness contrasts with the brownie richness.
Cherries – The sweet-tart pop of cherries cuts through the chocolate.
Pineapple – Tropical, tangy pineapple complements brownies for a fun twist.

You can prepare fruits in many ways to top brownies for added flavor, moisture and nutrition:

Fresh slices – Simple fresh fruit slices add color and brightness.
Dried – Dehydrated fruits like mango and apricots offer chewy texture.

Simmered – Lightly cooked fruit folded into brownies lends moisture.
Pureed – Blending berries creates sauce-like topping.
Baked – Bananas foster or baked apples pair perfectly.

Fruits lend many flavors, colors and textures to brownies for a more complex and balanced dessert. Kids will love the fun sweet-tart fruits combined with chocolate.

Whipped Cream

Whipped cream is a light and airy way to top brownies. The fluffy cream provides texture contrast to the fudgy base. Whipped cream also adds a touch of sweetness without overpowering the brownie flavor. Plain whipped cream allows the chocolate to remain the star. But you can also integrate flavors into the whipped cream, such as:

Vanilla

Hazelnut
Mascarpone
Honey

Coffee
Mint

Whipped cream can be piped decoratively atop brownies. Or dolloped casually with a spoon. Kids love whipped cream toppings for the added sweetness and fun. Adults appreciate the lighter contrast to rich chocolate brownies. And the beauty of whipped cream is you control the portion to satisfy your craving but not ruin your appetite.

Other Fun Brownie Accompaniments

While the above are the most popular, there are many other fun ways to serve and eat brownies:

Yogurt – Top brownies with yogurt for moisture and tang.
Mousse – Light chocolate or fruit mousse complements brownies nicely.

Ice pops – Insert brownie chunks into ice pop molds for fudgy treats.
Milkshakes – Blend with brownie chunks for thick, chocolate shakes.
Puddings – Soft and creamy chocolate or vanilla pudding tops brownies deliciously.

Cookies – Cookies like shortbread offer crunchy contrast to brownies.
S’mores – Sandwich brownies with marshmallows and graham crackers for s’mores.
Fondue – Dip brownie bites into chocolate fondue for interactive fun.

Brownies pair well with so many flavors and textures. Feel free to get creative and discover new brownie serving ideas. The possibilities are nearly endless for enjoying this chocolate dessert in innovative ways.

Choosing Brownie Accompaniments

When deciding what to eat your brownies with, consider these factors:

Flavor contrast – Pick accompaniments that balance or enhance the chocolate. Tart fruit, creamy dairy, crunchy nuts all work well.

Texture – Varying textures like icy, creamy, crunchy, or chewy contrast nicely with fudgy brownies.
Nutrition – Incorporate healthy items like fruit or yogurt to add nutrients.
Portion size – Lighter toppings allow you to enjoy brownies without overdoing portions.

Fun and interactivity – Whipped cream, fondue and s’mores make brownie eating engaging.
Occasion – Fancier toppings like mousse work for elegant desserts while ice cream and milk are casual.
Pairings – Complementary flavors like coffee and chocolate, or nuts and chocolate combine beautifully.

Consider all the elements you want out of your brownie accompaniment. Do you want to enhance chocolate flavor or contrast it? Add texture or moisture? Create a gourmet dessert or casual treat? With all the possibilities, you can enjoy brownies in limitless ways.

Serving Brownies for Gatherings

Brownies make a beloved addition to many social gatherings and parties. If serving brownies for a group, consider these accompaniment ideas:

Ice cream bar – Set up a sundae bar with various ice creams, toppings and sauces for customized treats.

Fruit skewers – Colorful fruit skewers allow guests to add fresh flavor.
Whipped cream – Let guests dollop whipped cream atop their own brownies.
Nut bar – Offer various nuts like walnuts, pecans and almonds for crunch.

Sauces – Chocolate, caramel and fruit sauces can be drizzled over brownies.
Milk bar – Provide ice-cold milk in various flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.

Offering a variety of brownie accompaniments allows guests to create their own perfect brownie dessert combination. It also adds an interactive element that makes your gathering more fun and memorable. Kids especially will enjoy customizing their brownies for a unique sweet treat.

Conclusion

While brownies are undeniably delicious on their own, pairing them with complementary items can create amazing desserts. Classic additions like ice cream, milk, coffee and nuts make enjoying this chocolate treat even more satisfying. Fresh fruit offers brightness while whipped cream contributes airy contrast. You can also get creative with mousse, cookies, puddings and more. Factors like flavor pairings, textures and nutrition help determine optimal brownie accompaniments. Brownies served alongside fun mix-ins and toppings make for great desserts at gatherings or for enjoying solo at home. With so many options, brownies can be transformed into endless incredible treats.