Chili Chocolate Brownies are a deliciously spicy treat. When you combine chocolate with a subtle hint of chili heat, the result is just pure divine. And, chili and chocolate are a perfect pair for Valentines Day, or any day. These Chili Chocolate Brownies bring both chili heat and silky chocolate together in the most delicious and beautiful way.
Brownies: Should They be Cakey or Fudgy?
Who doesn't love Brownies? The only debate for me, with brownies, is whether you prefer them to be light and cakey, or would rather have them dense and fudgy? While I wouldn't say no to either, I do prefer the fudgy version. These chili chocolate brownies are chewy, fudgy, and yes, just a little spicy, too. Which is the very best part. You can have brownies any day. But brownies, infused with some spicy chili heat? Not every day, right?
Chocolate & Chili
Chocolate and chili peppers are a combo that dates back to the Aztecs, according to this article on History.com The Sweet History of Chocolate. In Mexico, chili heat is often added to your hot chocolate, and mole sauce is a spicy, savoury chocolate sauce.
These dense and fudgy chili chocolate brownies are very well suited to the addition of a bit of subtle heat, in the form of some hot chili pepper. The combo of chili and chocolate is a delightful surprise. Although the spiciness is subtle, it's definitely there, lurking quietly in the background, taking a back seat to the intense chocolate flavour, but complementing it beautifully.
I didn't add any nuts to this recipe because I wanted it to be all about the chocolate chili combo. I also kept the spicy peppers pretty subtle. When I make these, I personally use double the heat, but I'm keeping this recipe tame for those of you who aren't spicy. Feel free to add more, if you prefer.
This is an adult brownie, and it's probably not suited to most kids, but hey, maybe your children are chili aficionados (I do know some that are!). If so let them at it, served with ice cream or a glass of cold milk. Or make these Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies just for them.
And if you're craving a snack with more of a savoury spice, try Chili Lime Spiced Nuts
Recipe
Chili Chocolate Brownies – Spicy Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients
- 6 oz good quality unsweetened dark chocolate
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ⅔ cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Line an 8 inch square baking pan with parchment, allowing some overhang on two sides.
- Melt chocolate and butter, In a double boiler over simmering water, whisking until smooth. Or melt in a microwave using 30 second increments, stirring between increments.
- Set the chocolate aside to cool to room temperature.
- Combine flour and salt in a small bowl
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar
- Add cocoa powder, cayenne, and crushed chili to the egg/sugar mixture, whisking until smooth. Whisk in the cooled chocolate/butter mixture until smooth.
- Fold in flour and salt and stir vigorously until batter is thick and smooth.
- Spread batter into prepared baking pan.
- Bake approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs.
- Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- When cool, use the parchment to remove from pan. Cut into 2 inch squares.
Nutrition
Mrs. H
I’ve often added a small can of green chili’s to my favorite brownie recipe, but that just seems to make them too moist. I’m working on a batch with cayenne and chili flakes as I type this. 🙂
Colleen
Hi Mrs H! This recipe is a delicious way to spice up your brownies, and it won't make them too moist. I hope you love them as much as we do, and would love to hear how they turned out.
Paige Platt
Hi Colleen,
I'm a big fan of spice, chilli and chocolate is a duo to die for anyway let alone in fudgy brownies 😍🤤 So I'm super looking forward to trying this recipe out 😄 You say you add double the chilli when you make them personally...is that double the amount of both crushed chilli and cayenne ???
Many thanks and warm wishes,
Paige 🌸
Colleen
Hi Paige! I would double both. But you can try doubling just one or the other, taste the batter and adjust to your liking. I hope you love the brownies!
Sheila
Does both chocolate and butter go in the double boiler/microwave or only the chocolate? It didn't state it clearly in the recipe line. I don't want to mess up this great brownie dish. I can't wait to make it.
Colleen
Hi Sheila, Thank you for checking on this, because, this recipe is an earlier one, and I have since changed formats for the recipe card. This one didn't translate, and thanks to you, I have now fixed. I hope it makes more sense now, and, I hope you love these brownies. They are amazing, and I would love to hear back how they turned out.
Maria
Absolutely love these two flavors together... such a "historical" combination! These brownies look absolutely amazing Colleen. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Colleen
Maria, Chili and Chocolate are indeed historical, and a match made in heaven. 🙂
Lily {Gastro Senses}
This is so cool and different! Would love a few brownies with a cup of tea right now!
Colleen
Thanks, Lily! Brownies are even better with spice ?
Nicole | What She Ate
I haven't had chocolate with chili in years. The pairing always slips my mind when it comes to chocolate making/eating time, but it's always a treat when I do remember. These brownies look fantastic! I'm with you on the all brownies are good brownies motto, but fudgy always wins.
Colleen
Thanks, Nicole. It really is a treat to add some spice to your chocolate! 🙂
Vanessa @ Zest & Simmer
I LOVE chili chocolate!!! These look absolutely fabulous!
Colleen
Thanks Vanessa! They are a great combo together, aren't they?
Sharon
I love spicy anything, chocolate included! It's funny because years ago, I was a smoker and hated anything with spice and once I finally quit, lo and behold, my tasyebuds awakened and it was all spicy food all the time! Now, I can add these sweet/spicy treats to my repertoire. Thanks for sharing!
Colleen
Hi Sharon, wow that is really interesting. Another benefit to quitting smoking!
admin
Thanks Finn! chili and chocolate really are a wonderful combo. BTW, I just checked out your lovely site and that Steak & Stout pie looks devine ♥
Finn
These look amazing! I love the chili and chocolate together 🙂
Dina
Hi Colleen, looks like another must try recipe. Reminds me of the Mexican hot chocolate we always have at Ah Cacao in Playa del Carmen. They sprinkle a few chili pepper flakes on top.
admin
Hi Dina, thank you for your comment, which is so cool and interesting because this recipe was inspired by many trips to Mexico. I've always been intrigued by how they use both chocolate and of course chiles. Glad to connect with you!