Buttermilk Brownie Recipes That Are Rich and Moist

Updated On: October 16, 2025

Brownies are a timeless dessert beloved by many, but have you ever tried adding a secret ingredient like buttermilk to make them irresistibly moist and tender? Buttermilk brownies have a unique richness and depth of flavor that sets them apart from your traditional brownie recipes.

The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create a light, fluffy texture that still manages to be fudgy and dense. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a potluck, or just craving something sweet, these buttermilk brownies will satisfy your chocolate cravings with a delightful twist.

In this blog post, I’ll share a detailed buttermilk brownie recipe that’s easy to follow and guarantees delicious results every time. Plus, I’ll offer tips, variations, and serving ideas to help you customize your brownies to your liking.

Ready to bake the best brownies with a touch of tangy buttermilk magic? Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These buttermilk brownies stand out because of their perfect balance between fudgy and cakey textures. The buttermilk adds moisture and a subtle tang, which enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.

Unlike traditional brownies that can sometimes be too dense or dry, these brownies remain soft and chewy on the inside with a slightly crisp top crust.

Another reason to love this recipe is its simplicity. It uses common pantry ingredients and straightforward steps, making it ideal for bakers of all skill levels.

Plus, buttermilk helps keep the brownies fresh longer, so they’re perfect for making ahead of time.

Whether you enjoy them plain or jazz them up with nuts, chocolate chips, or swirls of cream cheese, these brownies are versatile and crowd-pleasing. They’re also excellent for pairing with ice cream or coffee for an indulgent treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, 1 cup chocolate chips

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula
  • Sifter or fine mesh sieve (for cocoa powder and flour)
  • Cooling rack

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk until smooth and glossy. This will help create a rich base for the brownies.
  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures there are no lumps and the dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the butter mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently after each addition, just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough brownies.
  6. If using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now. This adds delightful texture and extra bursts of chocolate.
  7. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
  9. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing. This helps them set and makes cutting easier.

Tips & Variations

“For fudgier brownies, reduce the flour by 1/4 cup and add an extra egg yolk.”

If you want to experiment, here are some tasty variations:

  • Swirl in cream cheese: Drop spoonfuls of sweetened cream cheese on top of the batter and swirl with a knife before baking for a marbled effect.
  • Add espresso powder: Mix 1 teaspoon of espresso powder into the dry ingredients to intensify the chocolate flavor.
  • Use dark chocolate chips: For a richer bite, swap regular chocolate chips for dark or semi-sweet ones.
  • Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
  • Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a subtle kick.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (1/16th of batch)
Calories 230
Fat 12g
Saturated Fat 7g
Carbohydrates 29g
Sugar 22g
Protein 3g
Fiber 2g
Sodium 140mg

Serving Suggestions

These buttermilk brownies are delicious on their own, but you can elevate them with some creative serving ideas:

  • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
  • Top with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty presentation.
  • Pair with a cup of strong coffee or a glass of cold milk for a classic combo.
  • Use as a base for brownie parfaits layered with whipped cream and fruit.
  • Cut into small squares and serve alongside other desserts for a party platter.

Conclusion

Buttermilk brownies offer a wonderful twist on the classic chocolate treat by bringing extra moisture and a subtle tang that enhances every bite. This recipe is easy to follow, yields a perfect texture, and allows for plenty of customization to suit your taste preferences.

Whether you enjoy them plain, with nuts, or swirled with cream cheese, these brownies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

With simple ingredients and accessible steps, you can whip up a batch any day of the week to satisfy your sweet tooth or impress friends and family. Don’t forget to check out other delicious dessert recipes like Chocolate Chip Cookies, Classic Vanilla Cupcakes, and Peanut Butter Blondies to keep your baking adventures going strong!

📖 Recipe Card: Buttermilk Brownies

Description: Rich and fudgy brownies made moist and tangy with buttermilk. Perfectly balanced sweetness and a tender crumb in every bite.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT45M

Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
  3. In a bowl, mix melted butter and sugar until combined.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well.
  5. Mix in buttermilk.
  6. In a separate bowl, sift together cocoa, baking powder, salt, and flour.
  7. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until just combined.
  8. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
  9. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
  10. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
  11. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Nutrition: Calories: 180 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 24g

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Marta K

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