There are so many delicious options for toppings and mix-ins that can take your brownies from basic to spectacular! Whether you want to add an extra layer of chocolate indulgence or incorporate new flavors and textures, brownie toppings allow you to customize each bite and turn brownies into a special dessert. In this article, we’ll explore different categories of brownie toppings and mix-ins so you can find new ways to dress up your brownie creations.
Chocolate Toppings
For chocolate lovers, you can’t go wrong piling on extra chocolate! Classic choices like chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, chocolate fudge, or ganache add rich chocolate intensity. Here are some specific chocolate topping ideas to consider:
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips are a no-brainer topping for brownies. The mini size melts into the brownies and provides pockets of chocolate in each bite. Opt for semisweet, bittersweet, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference.
Chocolate Chunks
For bolder chocolate flavor, use chopped chocolate chunks or bars. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or a blend will all work well. The larger pieces add nice texture contrast.
Chocolate Fudge Sauce
What’s better than brownies? Brownies smothered in fudgy chocolate sauce! Hot fudge is a classic diner-style topping for brownies a la mode. Or drizzle room temperature fudge sauce over brownies before serving.
Chocolate Ganache
For an elegant finish, pour chocolate ganache frosting over cooled brownies. Ganache is made from melted chocolate and cream for a rich, silky texture. Allow ganache to set up before cutting brownies.
Chocolate Syrup
The childhood favorite hot fudge sundae topping is just as good on brownies! Chocolate syrup adds a quick chocolate drizzle on each bite.
Fruit Toppings
Fruit makes an unexpectedly delicious complement to chocolate brownies. Tart and sweet fruits balance the fudgy richness. Try these fruit ideas:
Berries
Fresh berries like raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries taste amazing on brownies. Their juicy sweet-tart flavor cuts the chocolate richness. Arrange berries artfully over frosted brownies.
Bananas
Sliced bananas turn brownies into bananas foster. Caramelize bananas in brown sugar and butter, then spoon over brownies while hot.
Cherries
Cherries offer another tangy and sweet fruit option. Use maraschino cherries or fresh pitted cherries. Interesting additions include dried cherries or cherry jam.
Citrus Zest
For a citrusy twist, garnish brownies with grated zest from oranges, lemons, grapefruit, or limes before serving. The bright flavor balances chocolate.
Crunchy Toppings
Adding crunchy toppings brings great texture contrast to soft, fudgy brownies. Here are crunchy mix-in ideas:
Nuts
Chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, and almonds make excellent brownie toppings. Toast nuts first to intensify the crunch factor.
Toffee
Candy lovers will appreciate chopped Heath bar or Skor bar toffee bits sprinkled on brownies. The buttery toffee crunch plays off the fudge brownie base beautifully.
Cookies
Crush up cookies like Oreos, chocolate wafer cookies, shortbread, or gingersnaps and use as decadent brownie topping. The cookie crumbs add fabulous crunch.
Granola
For a healthier crunch, add a sprinkling of granola or homemade granola bark on top of brownies. Look for varieties with nuts, oats, dried fruit, and chocolate chips.
Saucy Toppings
Beyond chocolate fudge, consider pouring on any of these delicious sauces:
Caramel
Drizzle salted caramel sauce over brownies for a decadent tandem with chocolate. The buttery caramel weaves into the fudgy brownie for a chewy, sweet bite.
Peanut Butter
Spoon on peanut butter sauce made with peanut butter, milk, and powdered sugar for a PB&J twist. The nutty peanut butter is so satisfying with chocolate.
Butterscotch
Underrated butterscotch makes for an amazing brownie topping. The brown sugar and butter flavor melds flawlessly with chocolate.
Marshmallow
For ultimate kid-pleasing brownies, heat jarred marshmallow sauce/fluff and pour over brownies. Top with crumbled graham crackers for s’mores vibes.
Creative Mix-Ins
Stir any of these unexpected mix-ins into the brownie batter before baking for inventive flavor combinations in each bite:
Peppermint
Crushed peppermint candy melts into brownies for refreshing peppermint fudgy bombs.
M&Ms
The classic candy-coated chocolates maintain their color and crunch when baked into brownies.
Popcorn
Caramel popcorn or Cracker Jacks lend salty-sweet crunch and fun flavor to brownies.
Pretzels
Crushed pretzels in brownies add salty crunch and tasty contrast.
Coffee Grounds
For mocha brownies, stir a spoonful of used coffee grounds into the batter.
Spices
Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cayenne pepper for warmth.
Creative Sauces for Drizzling
Take your brownies over the top with these unexpected drizzled sauces.
Salted Caramel
The sweet and salty caramel plays perfectly with chocolate brownies.
Raspberry Coulis
Pureed raspberry sauce provides tart fruit flavor to balance the rich brownies.
Dulce de Leche
The sweet milk caramel-like sauce is a Latin twist on caramel with brownies.
Honey
Drizzle honey over brownies before serving for gentle floral sweetness.
Bourbon Caramel Sauce
For adults, try smoky bourbon-spiked caramel drizzled over brownies.
Coconut Cream
Whipped coconut cream makes a luscious topping, like coconut brownie pie.
Fun Presentation Ideas
Take your brownie toppings over the top with these creative serving suggestions:
– Stack brownies tall with different toppings between each layer like a parfait.
– Make brownie poppers on a stick dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.
– Form brownie balls, roll in toppings, and serve in mini muffin tins.
– Cut brownies into shapes with cookie cutters and decorate themes like hearts for Valentine’s Day.
– Sprinkle colored streusel for confetti vibes on festive occasions.
– Press brownies into a mini pie dish and pipe different toppings in sections.
– Serve brownie bites in an ice cream cone topped with ice cream and drizzles.
– Layer brownie cubes and toppings in a sundae glass for a brownie sundae bar.
– Skewer cubed brownies and fruits as a dessert kebab.
Pairing Toppings and Sauces
With so many topping options, you may need help deciding which combinations work best. Here are some of my favorite brownie topping flavor pairings:
Brownie Base | Topping 1 | Topping 2 |
---|---|---|
Original or fudge brownie | Salted caramel sauce | Coarse sea salt |
Peanut butter brownie | Reese’s peanut butter chips | Chopped roasted peanuts |
White chocolate brownie | Tart cherry compote | Dark chocolate shavings |
Mint chocolate brownie | Chocolate ganache | Crushed peppermint |
Mexican chocolate brownie | Dulce de leche | Cinnamon sugar |
Mocha brownie | Espresso caramel | Whipped cream |
Conclusion
The possibilities are endless when it comes to dreamy brownie toppings! Whether you prefer fruit, chocolate, candy, crunchy or saucy toppings, there are so many options to satisfy any brownie lover. Get creative with mixing and matching flavors or pick a theme. Top individual brownies or an entire pan for a crowd. Having a dessert bar with a variety of toppings lets everyone customize their brownie indulgence. So try out a new brownie topping combination tonight!