There is SO much variation between brownie recipes, it’s crazy. I have various brownies on my site that all work well in their own ways for their specific recipes. As far as a plain (but not at all boring) brownie, I’ve always loved my Like-A-Box-Mix Brownies above all else. It’s a little cakier and lighter and truly delicious.

However, I’ve been working on the perfect fudgy brownie for some time. I love my blondie recipe so very much, that I actually started there. What I love about the final brownie recipe is that they are super easy to make, have that signature crackly top and fudgy center, are made with just cocoa powder and chocolate chips (no melted chocolate in the brownie batter). Plus they aren’t too sweet, or too bitter. Getting just the right flavor and texture is tough, but these brownies totally achieve it. They are rich and fudgy and stay nice for several days.

These strawberry brownies are one of my new faves. The strawberry and brownie combination is delicious and the two parts come together so perfectly. The strawberry mixture on top soaks into the brownie just a bit, giving them a super moist, fudgy quality that is hard to resist. And the fresh pop of fruit with the chocolatey base is perfect for summer!

I did a good bit of testing with this brownie to get it just right. The brownie base is my popular “like a box mix” brownie recipe. It’s a little more cakey than fudgy, which worked better after much testing for a couple of reasons.

First, the batter is a little thinner, so it lets the strawberry sauce sink into the batter just a bit to create little pockets for it to rest in, rather than just sitting on top and creating an awkward top layer. Second, the strawberry sauce seeps into the brownie a bit (but not too much), so it maintains itself as a separate layer, while also giving it a super moist and fudgy texture.

If you love cookies and caramel, you can now combine them into one amazing, chewy cookie bar. Melted caramel is layered between chocolate chip cookie dough in these caramel cookie bars and, once baked, the cookies stay nice and chewy while the caramel center is soft and gooey.

This isn’t the first time I’ve combined caramel and cookies. Caramel stuffed cookies remain a favorite and, of course, there’s the Crumbl caramel cheesecake cookies. But I think these caramel cookie bars are even easier than those recipes and just so delicious. Cookie bars are great for slicing and sharing, so these are a great option for parties, and they stay soft and chewy for up to 5 days!

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake earns its name from its irresistibly rich, buttery texture that’s impossible to resist. A classic Southern dessert, it starts with a moist, buttery vanilla cake base. While many versions use cake mix, I decided to make mine from scratch—I just think it’s more satisfying that way! The cake is topped with a creamy, custard-like cream cheese layer that truly lives up to the name “ooey gooey.” The melt-in-your-mouth texture and simple preparation have made this dessert a timeless favorite.

Just like my Pineapple Upside Down Cake, another Southern classic, this beloved treat is guaranteed to keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re tasting it for the first time or reliving a childhood favorite, it’s pure comfort on a plate.