Description
Dr. Pepper Brownies are a unique, flavorful twist on classic brownies, featuring the sweet and slightly spicy notes of Dr. Pepper soda. This recipe uses the soda reduced with melted butter to infuse the batter, resulting in moist, rich brownies that balance chocolatey goodness with a hint of soda fizz. Perfect for a fun dessert or a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Dr. Pepper soda
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Optional
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure the brownies don’t stick and are easy to remove.
- Reduce Dr. Pepper and Butter: In a medium saucepan, combine the Dr. Pepper soda and melted butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to bubble and reduces by about half, which should take roughly 10 minutes. This step concentrates the flavor and evaporates excess liquid.
- Mix Sugars and Eggs: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined, creating a creamy base for the brownies.
- Combine Reduced Soda Mixture: Slowly pour the reduced Dr. Pepper and butter mixture into the sugar and egg mixture, stirring constantly to incorporate it evenly without curdling.
- Sift and Add Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until the batter is fully incorporated and smooth.
- Add Chocolate Chips (Optional): Stir in the chocolate chips to add extra richness and texture to your brownies.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This makes cutting easier and helps the brownies set and develop their full flavor.
Notes
- Reducing the Dr. Pepper concentrates the flavor and ensures the brownies are moist but not soggy.
- Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner cuts.
- Chocolate chips are optional but add richness and texture.
- Check baking time as ovens can vary; start checking at 25 minutes.
- Let brownies cool fully before cutting to prevent crumbling.
