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Irresistible Thank You Teacher Brownies Gift Box

thank you teacher brownies - featured image

A rich, fudgy brownie recipe perfect for gifting to teachers, featuring a subtle espresso powder for enhanced chocolate flavor and a gooey center.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 8×8-inch pan or line it with parchment, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined but not overmixed.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. This should take about 5 minutes.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder (if using), and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula to keep the batter light. Stop as soon as no flour streaks remain.
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them evenly.
  7. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 25–30 minutes. Check at 25 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  9. Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes.
  10. Cut into 16 squares and arrange in a gift box lined with parchment or tissue paper.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to avoid cakey brownies. Use room temperature eggs for better blending. Sift dry ingredients to avoid lumps. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts for neat squares. Espresso powder is optional but recommended for richer chocolate flavor. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use coconut oil or vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Keywords: brownies, teacher gift, chocolate, fudgy brownies, espresso powder, homemade brownies, easy brownies, gift box brownies