layer on top of brownies

lately every time I make brownies there is a hard layer that forms on the top of the brownies, cracking the minute I cut into them, making a hard layer that ends up separating from the "brownies" underneath. why does this happen?

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8 Comments

meher August 11, 2015
The reason that crust is forming (which I absolutely LOVE, by the way) is because you are mixing the batter for long. It is basically meringue.
So if you are creaming the butter and sugar together, and then adding the eggs, and beating this mixture for a while before adding the dry ingredients- there will surely be a crust on the brownies!
 
Susan W. August 11, 2015
I agree. I work hard to create that crust.
 
Gourmet R. March 8, 2011
Thanks for the the tips. Also, what about rapping the pan halfway through cooking to let out air bubbles?

The first time (recently) I made them I thought I overmixed them with the mixer so this time I made them by hand and it still happened. First batch had chips, the second one no. The second batch I made a diff. recipe in an 8x8 pan and baked for 40 minutes (they were undercooked). This is the first recipe.

brownies
Cooking spray, for greasing
16 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour, divided
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 11.5-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chunks
3/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Melt entire 16-ounces chocolate chips over a double boiler. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add butter and mix until well incorporated. Set aside to cool.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar together until smooth. Add cooled chocolate mixture to sugar and mix until smooth. Add vanilla and mix again.
4. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients, a little at a time, to chocolate mixture, stirring after each addition. Combine until smooth. Toss chocolate chunks with remaining 1 tablespoon flour and add to chocolate mixture. Gently stir to combine. Transfer to prepared baking pan and bake for 45-50 minutes (cover with aluminum foil after 30 minutes if getting too browned), until slightly crisp around edges but gooey inside. Allow to cool to room temperature. Place brownies in refrigerator until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.

Makes approximately 18 brownies.
 
betteirene March 8, 2011
It's hard to diagnose without knowing the recipe, but these four tips will work with any recipe:

1. Remove 1 or 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar called for in the recipe.
2. If the recipes calls for melted butter, stir the batter entirely by hand, not with a mixer, until all the ingredients are just combined. Do not overmix. If the recipe directs you to cream the butter and sugar, use a mixer for that part of the recipe, but switch to a wooden spoon after adding the flour and eggs.
3. Bake the brownies on a rack in the center of the oven.
4. As soon as the pan is removed from the oven, cover it with foil or plastic wrap and poke three holes near the center with a paring knife. Allow to cool until the pan is comfortably warm to the touch, then remove the foil or plastic to cool completely before cutting.
 
nutcakes March 7, 2011
That is my favorite part of a brownie. I seek out recipes that have a crackling top layer and chewy edges. I don't like wet, fudgy, raw brownies. Give me your recipe, please.
 
boulangere March 7, 2011
How long are you baking them and at what temp?
 
IlovePhilly March 7, 2011
Are you putting chocolate chunks or chips in them? I make a bundt, where I intentionally let the chocolate pieces set up shop in the bottom of the pan, so when it's inverted, they form a hard, chocolate crust on top.
Could this be happening with your brownies, in reverse? If so, maybe cut down on the size or amount of your chocolate pieces and mix them in thoroughly just before baking?
 
Merrill S. March 7, 2011
Are you using the same recipe every time? Can you provide a link?
 
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