Brownies are one of the most flexible desserts you can bake, whether you lean fudgy, cakey, gooey, or layered they adapt easily. The core stays simple: chocolate, butter, sugar, and flour, but the variations bring in nuts, caramel, fruit, espresso, matcha, or even pumpkin. Texture matters just as much as flavor: crisp edges, soft interior, or chewy centers all bring a different experience. These 19 recipes mix formats, toppings and mix‑ins so each square stands out. Whether you want blondie color, cheesecake swirls, caramel ribbons or mint and espresso sparks, there’s a brownie here that keeps structure and flavor strong, no soggy bottoms or collapse.

S’mores Brownies

S’mores Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Brownie batter is layered or topped with graham cracker pieces, toasted marshmallows, and chocolate to mimic the campfire classic. The marshmallow melts into goo and the grahams add crunch. The brownie base holds everything without sagging. Every bite brings chocolate, marshmallow and crisp crust.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Brownies

Lemon Brownies

Lemon Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A brownie‑style bar or blondie base is flavored with lemon zest and juice for brightness in place of heavy cocoa. The texture stays tender but slices clean. The lemon flavour cuts the sweetness and finishes crisp. Each piece gives bite and lift.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Brownies

Easy Slutty Brownies

Easy Slutty Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Layers of cookie dough, Oreos and brownie batter bake into a block with distinct layers and bold flavour. The layers maintain separation during baking so each bite shows cookie, cream and chocolate. The structure holds firm when cut. It’s fun, over‑the‑top and still structured.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slutty Brownies

Rocky Road Brownies

Rocky Road Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Brownie batter is loaded with marshmallows, nuts (like pecans or walnuts) and chocolate chunks for texture and richness. The marshmallows cook through but maintain chew, the nuts add crunch, and the brownie base holds it all. Slicing reveals visible chunks and layers. Each one finishes rich, chunky and clean.
Get the Recipe: Rocky Road Brownies

Easy Brownies

Easy Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A straightforward, dependable brownie with simple ingredients and reliable texture, edges crisp, centre soft. This version focuses on the base formula without heavy mix‑ins so you get clean flavour. The texture holds when cooled and cut. Every bite hits classic brownie.
Get the Recipe: Easy Brownies

Turtle Chocolate Brownies

Turtle Chocolate Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A layer of caramel and chopped pecans is baked into a chocolate brownie base. The caramel firms up without running and holds inside each square. The pecans add crunch and contrast to the soft center. Each bar gives chew, snap, and depth.
Get the Recipe: Turtle Chocolate Brownies

Snickers Brownies

Snickers Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Chopped candy bars are folded into brownie batter or layered across the top before baking. The nougat melts slightly but holds structure, and the peanuts stay crisp. Caramel adds chew while the chocolate blends fully into the base. Each square brings a solid bite with candy texture throughout.
Get the Recipe: Snickers Brownies

Espresso Brownies

Espresso Brownies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Brownie batter is mixed with espresso powder or brewed coffee to intensify the chocolate. The texture stays firm and cuts clean with defined edges and center. The surface bakes with a slight sheen and the crumb holds its shape. Every square delivers a clear mix of chocolate and espresso without slipping into sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Espresso Brownies

Buckeye Brownies

Layered Buckeye Brownies stacked up with more brownies around them.
Buckeye Brownies. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A soft peanut butter layer is spread over a baked brownie base, then topped with melted chocolate. The peanut filling firms but stays smooth under the top layer. Each section slices in even layers without drag. The result is clean, bold, and layered without mess.
Get the Recipe: Buckeye Brownies

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

A red velvet batter is swirled with cream cheese to create visible marbling across the top. The brownie holds its base while the swirl bakes smooth and light. Texture stays dense without collapsing. Each slice shows sharp contrast in color and finish.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Caramel Swirl Brownies

A plate of chocolate brownies with caramel swirls.
Caramel Swirl Brownies. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Caramel is spooned into the brownie batter and lightly swirled before baking. It bakes into ribbons without sinking and stays chewy inside the cut. The chocolate crumb stays thick and even. Every piece delivers layered sweetness and structure.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Swirl Brownies

Grasshopper Brownies

Grasshopper Brownies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Mint chocolate chips or mint extract are folded into brownie batter, or layered on top with chocolate ganache. The green adds a visual break while the chocolate holds underneath. Each square stays firm and finishes smooth. The bite mixes dense brownie and sharp mint.
Get the Recipe: Grasshopper Brownies

Cream Cheese Brownies

Cream Cheese Brownies. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

A layer of sweetened cream cheese is swirled into the top of the brownie batter before baking. The swirl bakes flat and stays creamy without sinking. The brownie base keeps its structure with soft chew. Each square shows clean contrast and holds shape when cut.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Brownies

Matcha Brownies

Four square slices of matcha brownies with white chocolate icing.
Matcha Brownies. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

These use matcha to add bitterness and color to either the base or a swirl through the chocolate batter. The result stays dense and moist, with edges that cut without crumble. Matcha holds its tone even when baked. Each bar finishes with green color and strong structure.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Brownies

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

A piece of cake on a blue plate with a fork.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Apple slices and cheesecake batter are layered over a chocolate brownie and finished with caramel drizzle. The brownie stays firm under the moisture from the topping. Cheesecake adds smoothness and apples add soft bite. Every square stays together and slices through layers clean.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Brownie

Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Pumpkin is mixed into brownie batter for extra moisture and slight spice. The chocolate flavor holds strong while the pumpkin adds texture. The top bakes smooth and the crumb stays intact. Each bite finishes earthy and dense.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

M&M Brownies

M&M Brownies. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

M&Ms are folded into the batter and pressed across the top before baking. The candy stays visible without melting down and the brownie sets around it. Each cut shows clean breaks of chocolate and color. The finish is dense with crunch across the surface.
Get the Recipe: M&M Brownies

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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