Brownies are a delicious chocolate dessert that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with other foods and drinks. Choosing the right accompaniments can take your brownie experience to the next level. In this article, we will explore the best options for what to eat and drink with brownies. From classic milk pairings to unexpected flavors, you’ll find plenty of mouthwatering ideas.
Best Drinks to Pair with Brownies
Drink pairings can make or break a brownie eating experience. Here are some of the most popular and delicious beverages to enjoy with brownies:
Milk
A cold glass of milk is one of the most classic brownie pairings. The creamy dairy drink helps cut through the rich chocolate and intensify the flavors. Milk is especially good with fudgy, dense brownies. It balances and cools the palate. For best results, choose whole milk or even chocolate milk. The added sweetness and chocolate flavor complement the brownies perfectly.
Coffee
A hot cup of coffee is another traditional pairing for brownies. The slight bitterness of coffee contrasts with the sweetness of the brownie. This combination is perfect for dessert, providing a pick-me-up caffeine boost. The flavors also mirror the taste of mocha. For maximum flavor, use freshly brewed dark roast coffee. The intensity stands up to the chocolate brownie. Add whipped cream for an extra decadent dessert.
Tea
For a lighter pairing, consider tea. The tannins and subtle flavors won’t overpower the brownie taste. Herbal teas like chamomile and mint are refreshing options. But black tea, like English breakfast, also complements chocolate’s bitterness. For best results, avoid adding milk or sweeteners to the tea when eating with brownies.
Hot chocolate
For the ultimate chocolate and brownie experience, drink a steaming mug of hot cocoa. The warm, rich chocolate drink boosts the chocolate intensity. Use high-quality cocoa powder and milk to make homemade hot chocolate. Top with marshmallows, whipped cream, or a brownie chunk. The combination of hot liquid chocolate and solid chocolate brownie is decadent perfection.
Beer
Believe it or not, beer pairs surprisingly well with brownies. The light carbonation and malty notes balance the richness. Opt for sweeter stouts or porters to mirror the chocolate flavors. Or try an IPA for contrast through bitter hops. Belgian abbey ales also complement brownies with fruity, caramel notes.
Best Foods to Eat with Brownies
Beyond drinks, the right foods can perfectly complement brownies. Here are top savory and sweet choices:
Ice cream
For many, ice cream is the ultimate brownie pairing. Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, with creamy sweetness to balance chocolate. Or opt for chocolate or coffee ice cream to double the intensity. Cookies and cream or rocky road ice cream also pair well with brownie chunks. For easy serving, top brownies with a scoop of ice cream. Or serve homemade brownie sundaes in bowls for a customized tasty treat.
Whipped cream
Whipped cream gives a similar effect to ice cream’s airy sweetness. It melts into the warm brownie, adding a fresh dairy flavor. Dollop whipped cream on top of brownies for added decadence. Or use it as a garnish for brownie desserts and milkshakes. Make homemade whipped cream or use ready-made in a can for convenience.
Berries
Fresh berries, like raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, add fruitiness that balances chocolate. The sweet-tart taste contrasts the brownie richness. Simply top brownies with assorted berries for color and flavor. Or make a berry sauce to drizzle over each bite. Berries also pair nicely with brownies served with whipped cream or ice cream.
Bananas
Bananas foster is a classic dessert made with bananas and brownie pieces. But even just sliced bananas complement brownies’ flavor. The fruit adds moisture and tropical sweetness that tames the chocolate. Drizzle caramel or chocolate sauce over bananas on brownies for added complexity.
Bacon
For a savory, salty twist, eat brownies with bacon strips. The combination first became popular years ago and still wows taste buds. The crispy, fatty, smoky bacon complements the sweetness of the brownie. The textures also balance out. Experience the salted caramel-like taste by crumbling bacon over brownies or baking it directly inside the batter.
Nuts
Nuts, like walnuts, pecans, and almonds, bring crunchy texture and toasty flavor. Finely chopped or crushed nuts on top provide subtle enhancement to brownies’ fudginess. Or go bold by mixing in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, etc. The options are endless for nutty brownie deliciousness.
Popcorn
For an unorthodox pairing, try popcorn with brownies. The crunchy, salty popcorn plays against the chewy brownie contrasts. The combination gives you both chocolate and snack fix in one go. Drizzle the popcorn with chocolate sauce before eating for added decadence.
Meal Ideas Featuring Brownies
Beyond singular pairings, brownies can be incorporated into full meals for a chocolate accent:
Dessert nachos
For a sharable dessert platter, make brownie nachos. Break brownies into chip shapes and pile onto a dish. Top with ice cream, whipped cream, chopped nuts, fruit, and other sweet toppings. Serve with forks for guests to create customized nacho bites.
Salads
To satisfy both sweet and healthy cravings, add brownie chunks to fruit salads. The chocolate pairs nicely with fresh berries, banana slices, citrus segments, chopped apples, or other fruits. A raspberry dressing or yogurt drizzle pulls the flavors together. For dinner, add brownie croutons to a spinach salad with cranberries, feta, and nuts.
Parfaits
Layer brownie pieces with yogurt, granola, fruit, and nuts in glasses or parfait dishes. The textures and flavors combine for a Grab-and-go power snack or healthy dessert. Using Greek yogurt adds extra protein and a creamy base.
S’mores
For an iconic campfire treat, sandwich brownies, marshmallows, and graham crackers together. Melt the marshmallow and chocolate bar by cooking over an open flame. The ooey-gooey s’more is complete portable chocolate decadence.
Fondue
Melt chocolate and let guests dip brownie chunks right into the fountain. Set out fruit like strawberries and bananas for dipping as well. The interactive dessert is perfect for parties and special occasions. Provide long forks or skewers for dipping the brownies.
Best Brownie Recipes to Try
While you can always use a basic brownie mix, homemade brownies allow you to control the ingredients. Here are delicious from-scratch recipes to experiment with:
Classic Fudgy Brownies
This easy recipe uses unsweetened chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and vanilla extract. They bake into a flawlessly fudgy texture. Top with nuts or chocolate chips after baking.
Black Bean Brownies
For a protein-packed twist, this recipe uses black beans pureed with eggs, cocoa powder, oil, vanilla, and spices. The beans make the brownies fudgy and fiber-filled. Drizzle with peanut butter for more protein.
Blondies
By using brown sugar instead of cocoa powder, you get chewy, caramel-like blondies. Add white chocolate chips or butterscotch to intensify the flavor. Walnuts add nice crunch. Kids love the sweetness.
Frozen Brownie Bites
For a cooler, no-bake treat, mix brownie batter and fold in toppings like M&Ms. Scoop batter into mini muffin tins or candy molds. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze overnight. Enjoy straight from the freezer.
Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
Press brownie batter into the bottom of a springform pan. Prepare a creamy cheesecake layer separately. Pour that over the crust. The combo is rich, fudgy cheesecake magic.
| Drink Pairing | Food Pairing | Brownie Recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | Ice cream | Classic fudgy brownies |
| Coffee | Whipped cream | Black bean brownies |
| Hot chocolate | Berries | Blondies |
| Beer | Bacon | Frozen brownie bites |
| Tea | Nuts | Brownie bottom cheesecake |
Tips for the Best Brownie Experiences
Follow these tips to ensure brownie perfection every time:
- Use high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate for maximum flavor.
- Mix up add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, caramel swirls, etc.
- Underbake slightly so brownies stay fudgy and moist.
- Cut into squares before completely cooled to get clean edges.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
- Warm individual portions briefly to serve gooey brownies.
- Pair with complementary flavors like fruit, coffee, or salty snacks.
- Top with ice cream, whipped cream, or chocolate drizzle before serving.
- Offer a glass of milk, coffee, or other beverage to balance flavors.
- Experiment with brownie recipes until you find your favorite.
FAQs
Get answers to common questions about eating brownies:
What is the best drink with brownies?
Milk or coffee are classic brownie pairings. The flavors complement chocolate perfectly. For alternatives, try hot chocolate, chocolate milk, tea, beer, or even wine.
What desserts go well with brownies?
Brownies pair deliciously with ice cream, whipped cream, pies, cookies, and fruit desserts. Create brownie sundaes, sandwiches, parfaits, or nachos. The options are endless.
Can you eat brownies for breakfast?
Absolutely! Brownies contain eggs, flour, and milk, making them more balanced than other desserts. Pair them with fruit, yogurt, or protein like bacon for a sweet breakfast treat.
Are nuts good on brownies?
Yes, nuts add great flavor and texture. Walnuts, pecans, and almonds all complement the chocolate well. Add them to the batter or sprinkle on top.
What can kids dip brownies into?
Let kids’ creativity run wild with fun brownie dippers like melted chocolate, peanut butter, caramel sauce, whipped cream, yogurt, and fruit purees.
Conclusion
Brownies are a blank chocolate canvas ready to be turned into delicious dessert creations. Think outside the box by pairing brownies with unexpected flavors like popcorn, bacon, or avocados. Or keep it simple with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle of chocolate syrup. Homemade brownies from scratch allow for lots of mix-ins like cookies, candy, nuts, etc. Have fun experimenting to find new favorite brownie pairings and recipes. Just be sure to have milk or coffee nearby to help devour the chocolatey goodness.