Skillet Fudgy Brownie Pudding

Introduction & Inspiration

This recipe, “Skillet Fudgy Brownie Pudding,” is a rich, intensely chocolatey, and incredibly moist dessert that combines the best qualities of a brownie and a pudding. It’s baked in a skillet (or cake pan) for a rustic presentation.

The inspiration came from a desire to create a dessert that’s both comforting and indulgent, with a texture that’s somewhere between a fudgy brownie and a warm, gooey pudding.

The addition of Baileys Irish Cream adds a subtle boozy note and enhances the overall richness of the dish.

It’s a recipe that’s perfect for chocolate lovers, special occasions, or any time you’re craving a truly decadent and satisfying treat.

Nostalgic Appeal (with a Sophisticated Twist)

This brownie pudding taps into the nostalgic appeal of both brownies and pudding, two classic comfort food desserts.

Brownies, with their fudgy texture and intense chocolate flavor, are often associated with childhood treats and bake sales.

Pudding, with its creamy, smooth texture and comforting sweetness, evokes memories of simple, homemade desserts.

The addition of Baileys Irish Cream elevates this dish to a more sophisticated and adult-friendly indulgence.

It’s a recipe that combines familiar elements in a new and exciting way, appealing to both nostalgia and a desire for something special.

Homemade Goodness and the Water Bath Technique

This recipe is all about creating a truly decadent dessert from scratch, using simple ingredients and a unique baking technique: the water bath.

Making your own brownie pudding allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and to adjust the flavors to your liking.

The water bath (bain-marie) is a key element of this recipe, creating a humid environment that helps the brownie pudding to bake evenly and achieve its signature moist, pudding-like texture.

It’s a recipe that showcases how a few simple techniques can elevate a dessert from ordinary to extraordinary.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal is an intensely rich, fudgy, and chocolatey dessert with a subtle boozy note from the Baileys Irish Cream and a hint of sweetness from the granulated sugar.

The bittersweet chocolate provides the deep, dark chocolate flavor, while the cocoa powder reinforces the chocolate intensity.

The Baileys Irish Cream adds a creamy, subtly boozy, and slightly nutty flavor that complements the chocolate beautifully.

The granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps to create a slightly crisp, flaky crust on top.

The whipped cream topping adds a light, airy, and subtly sweet element, balancing the richness of the brownie pudding.

It’s a flavor combination that’s both decadent and comforting, perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s break down each ingredient:

• Unsalted Butter: This provides richness and moisture to the brownie pudding, creating a fudgy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness and helps to create a slightly crisp crust on top.
• Chopped 60% to 70% Bittersweet Chocolate: This is the key ingredient for the intense chocolate flavor. Using high-quality bittersweet chocolate is essential for the best results.
• Large Eggs: These add structure, richness, and moisture to the brownie pudding.
• Baileys Irish Cream (divided): This adds a creamy, subtly boozy, and slightly nutty flavor to both the brownie pudding and the whipped cream topping.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This reinforces the chocolate flavor and adds depth.
• All-Purpose Flour: This provides a small amount of structure to the brownie pudding, helping it to hold its shape.
• Kosher Salt: This balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Heavy Cream: This is used to make the whipped cream topping, adding a light and airy texture.

Essential Equipment

Here’s the equipment you’ll need:

• 8-inch round cake pan or medium heatproof skillet: For baking the brownie pudding. A cast-iron skillet is ideal for even heat distribution.
• Larger pan (such as a 13 ½-by-10-inch roasting pan): To create the water bath.
• Medium saucepan: For melting the butter and sugar.
• Medium bowls (2): One for the melted butter mixture and one for whisking the dry ingredients.
• Whisk: For combining the ingredients.
• Electric mixer: For beating the heavy cream and Baileys into whipped cream.
• Measuring cups and spoons

That’s a pretty manageable list of equipment!

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the ingredient list with precise measurements:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• ¾ cup (150 g.) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (85 g.) chopped 60% to 70% bittersweet chocolate
• 2 large eggs
• 3 Tbsp. Baileys Irish cream, divided
• ⅓ cup (30 g.) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup (30 g.) all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• ¾ cup heavy cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through the process:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and butter an 8-inch round cake pan or medium heatproof skillet. Place the pan or skillet inside a larger pan, such as a 13 ½-by-10-inch roasting pan. This creates the water bath.
2. Melt Butter and Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the butter and granulated sugar, stirring frequently, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, 7 to 9 minutes.
3. Add Chocolate: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped bittersweet chocolate. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
4. Whisk in Eggs and Baileys: Whisk in the eggs and 2 tablespoons of the Baileys Irish Cream.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt.
6. Combine Wet and Dry: Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, then stir until the mixture resembles wet brownie batter.
7. Pour Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan (the smaller pan inside the larger pan).
8. Add Water: Pour hot water into the larger pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the smaller pan. This creates the water bath, which ensures even cooking and a moist, pudding-like texture.
9. Bake: Bake the brownie pudding until a flaky crust forms, resembling the top of a traditional brownie, and the center is slightly underdone and almost jiggly, 30 to 40 minutes.
10. Cool: Let the brownie pudding cool slightly.
11. Make Whipped Cream: Meanwhile, make the Baileys whipped cream. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the heavy cream and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Baileys Irish Cream until medium peaks form.
12. Serve: Top the brownie pudding with the whipped cream and serve.

Troubleshooting

Here are a few potential issues and solutions:

• Brownie Pudding Too Dry: This can happen if you overbake it. Make sure to check for doneness using the visual cues described in the recipe (flaky crust, slightly underdone center).
• Brownie Pudding Too Wet: This can happen if you don’t bake it long enough or if the water bath isn’t set up correctly. Make sure the water reaches halfway up the sides of the inner pan.
• Whipped Cream Not Whipping: Make sure your heavy cream is very cold before whipping. You can also chill the bowl and beaters in the freezer for a few minutes before starting.
• Crust not forming: The sugar helps form the crust, make sure it is mixed in well.

Tips and Variations

Here are some ways to customize this recipe:

• Different Chocolate: Use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead of bittersweet chocolate for a different flavor profile.
• Different Alcohol: Use a different liqueur.
• Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, into the batter for added texture and flavor.
• Add Chocolate Chips: Add chocolate chips to the batter for extra bursts of chocolate.
• Serve with Ice Cream: Instead of whipped cream, serve the brownie pudding warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Make Individual Servings: Divide the batter among smaller ramekins or oven-safe dishes for individual servings. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
• Add espresso powder: Add a bit of espresso powder to the batter.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This Skillet Fudgy Brownie Pudding is perfect for:

• Dessert: It’s a rich and decadent dessert that’s sure to impress.
• Special Occasions: It’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or dinner parties.
• Potlucks and Gatherings: It’s easy to transport and serves a crowd.
• Everyday Indulgence: It’s a perfect way to satisfy your chocolate cravings any day of the week.

It pairs well with coffee, a glass of milk, a dessert wine, or a scoop of ice cream.

Nutritional Information

This brownie pudding is a rich and decadent treat, so it contains a significant amount of sugar and fat from the butter, chocolate, and heavy cream.

The exact nutritional information will vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use.

It’s best to enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It is an occasional treat.

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Summary: Skillet Fudgy Brownie Pudding is a rich, intensely chocolatey dessert with a fudgy, pudding-like texture, infused with Baileys Irish Cream and topped with Baileys whipped cream. It’s baked in a water bath for even cooking and a moist, decadent result.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: Yes, you can make the brownie pudding a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently before serving, or enjoy it cold. The whipped cream is best made just before serving.

Q: How long does it last? A: Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should last for up to 3-4 days.

Q: Can I freeze it? A: You can freeze the brownie pudding (without the whipped cream) for up to 2-3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag or container. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating or serving.

Q: Can I omit the Baileys Irish Cream? A: Yes, you can omit the Baileys, but it will alter the flavor profile. You can substitute it with an equal amount of milk or cream in the brownie pudding, and with milk or cream and a teaspoon of vanilla extract in the whipped cream.

Q: Can I use a different type of chocolate? A: Yes, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead of bittersweet chocolate, depending on your preference.

The History of Brownies

To continue expanding this article, let’s explore the history of brownies, a key component of this dessert.

Brownies, a beloved American dessert, are believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century.

There are several stories and legends surrounding the invention of brownies, but the exact origin is uncertain.

One popular story attributes the invention of brownies to a housewife in Bangor, Maine, who forgot to add baking powder to her chocolate cake, resulting in a dense, fudgy treat.

Another story claims that a chef at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago created brownies for the 1893 Columbian Exposition, as a portable and easy-to-eat dessert for ladies attending the fair.

Regardless of their exact origin, brownies quickly became a popular dessert in the United States, and they’ve been enjoyed in countless variations ever since.

Brownies are typically classified as either “fudgy” or “cakey,” depending on their texture. Fudgy brownies are dense and moist, while cakey brownies are lighter and airier.

Our Skillet Fudgy Brownie Pudding leans towards the fudgy end of the spectrum, thanks to the melted chocolate, the water bath baking method, and the relatively low proportion of flour.

The Science of the Water Bath

The water bath (bain-marie) technique used in this recipe is crucial for achieving the desired texture of the brownie pudding.

A water bath involves placing the baking pan (in this case, a skillet or cake pan) inside a larger pan filled with hot water.

The water bath provides several benefits:

• Even Cooking: The water surrounds the inner pan with gentle, even heat, preventing the edges from overcooking before the center is done.
• Moisture Retention: The steam created by the hot water helps to keep the brownie pudding moist and prevents it from drying out.
• Prevents Cracking: The gradual, even heating helps to prevent the top of the brownie pudding from cracking.

This technique is commonly used for baking custards, cheesecakes, and other delicate desserts that require gentle, even cooking.

The Art of Making Whipped Cream

The Baileys whipped cream topping is a simple yet essential component of this dessert.

Making whipped cream from scratch is easy and rewarding, and it tastes far superior to store-bought whipped topping.

Here are a few tips for making perfect whipped cream:

• Use Cold Heavy Cream: The colder the cream, the better it will whip. You can even chill the bowl and beaters in the freezer for a few minutes before starting.
• Don’t Overwhip: Overwhipping the cream can cause it to become grainy and separate. Whip the cream just until medium peaks form. Medium peaks are when the peaks hold their shape but still curl over slightly at the tip.
• Add Flavorings: You can add flavorings to your whipped cream, such as vanilla extract, liqueurs (like Baileys!), or powdered sugar.

In this recipe, we add Baileys Irish Cream to the whipped cream, creating a delicious and boozy topping that perfectly complements the rich chocolate brownie pudding.

The Importance of Cooling

Letting the brownie cool before adding toppings is important. Adding whipped cream to warm brownies will cause it to melt.

The Joy of Indulging in Dessert

Desserts, like this Skillet Fudgy Brownie Pudding, are meant to be enjoyed and savored.

It’s okay to indulge in a rich and decadent treat from time to time, especially when it’s homemade with love and care.

The combination of intense chocolate flavors, creamy textures, and a hint of boozy warmth makes this brownie pudding a truly special dessert.

Sharing this treat with loved ones or savoring it on your own can be a moment of pure pleasure and a well-deserved reward.