4th July Brownies

Name: 4th July Brownies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 540 min
Ingredients: 7 oz 70% Dark chocolate ((200g)); ¾ Cup Salted butter ((180g)); 1+¼ Cups White sugar ((250g)); 3 Eggs; 1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract; ¾ Cup All-purpose flour ((100g)); 1 Tablespoon Cocoa powder; ½ Cup Chocolate chips ((85g)); 14 oz Tub Chocolate frosting ((400g)); 4 Tablespoons Blue, red and white sprinkles; 16 USA Flag cake topper decorations ((optional))

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These 4th July Brownies are the perfect way to celebrate Independence Day! They're rich and fudgy, and topped with cute blue, white and red decorations. Whether you're hosting a party or just want a tasty sweet treat, these are guaranteed to add some fun to your celebrations.

4th of july brownies with american flags on top

Okay, I know it might seem a little ironic for a UK blogger to be posting a recipe for 4th July brownies but hear me out! A huge portion of my readers are from the US, and to be honest, I just love any excuse to create a festive variation of my classic brownies.

These red, white, and blue brownies are rich, fudgy, and super simple to make, perfect for your BBQs or potlucks. Whether you're watching fireworks or just looking for a fun dessert that'll suit both kids and adults, these are guaranteed to be a hit. I hope you enjoy eating them as much as I enjoyed creating them!

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make Independence Day brownies...

Dark chocolate: The main ingredient in any good brownie recipe! This gives the brownies their rich, intense flavour and fudgy texture. 70% cocoa is the best chocolate for brownies, but anything from 60-75% will work fine in this recipe.
Butter: I love using salted butter but if you only have unsalted, you can just add a small pinch of salt to the recipe separately.
White sugar: If you can get your hands on superfine sugar/caster sugar, use that because it'll dissolve more easily. Otherwise, regular white sugar will be fine.
Eggs: These help to bind everything together and give the brownie a little bit of lift. You'll need 3 medium eggs.
Vanilla extract: Just a touch, to enhance the chocolatey flavour.
All-purpose flour: Just enough flour to hold everything together without making the brownies cakey. If you're gluten-free, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend should work fine here (one with xanthan gum in it will work best).
Cocoa powder: Adding a little plain cocoa powder helps to intensify the chocolate flavour without making the brownies too bitter.
Chocolate chips: Milk, white or semi-sweet, whichever you prefer.
Chocolate frosting: Store-bought frosting makes this recipe super easy, but if you're feeling fancy, you can use homemade chocolate frosting or ganache. I used Betty Crocker's chocolate fudge icing.
Sprinkles: Blue, red and white sprinkles just *scream* 4th of July, don't they? I used a mixture of stars and dots (both from Amazon) but feel free to use whichever sprinkles you like best.

Equipment

8x8-inch tin: This is essential to get the right thickness and baking time. A 9x9-inch tin will also work, but you'll need to reduce the baking time slightly. For different tin sizes, use my cake pan converter to adjust the ingredient quantities to fit.
Baking paper: This makes it easy to lift the brownies out of the tin after they've set. Try to leave a bit hanging over each edge if you can.
Electric whisk: Or a stand mixer, to whisk the eggs and sugar together. This takes quite a while to do properly, so I don't recommend doing it by hand, unless you want a serious arm workout.
Mixing bowl: A large one, for mixing all of the ingredients.
Saucepan: For melting the chocolate and butter over the stove. If you don't have one, you can use a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. Just be careful not to overheat or burn the mixture or you'll end up with a grainy brownie batter.
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: For folding and mixing. Wooden spoons are great, but spatulas are best for scraping every last bit of batter from the bowl.
USA Flag cake toppers: These are optional but they add a nice patriotic touch and look great on a party table. I got mine from Amazon.

independence day brownies with red blue and white stars and american flag on top

How to make 4th July Brownies

Step 1: Line an 8x8-inch tin with baking paper and preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). If you're using a fan or convection oven, it's 300°F (285°C).

Step 2: Break 7oz of 70% dark chocolate into pieces then add it to a saucepan with ¾ cup salted butter. Place the pan over low heat on the stove and stir gently until the chocolate has fully melted. Set it aside for about 10 minutes to cool slightly.

Step 3: Place 3 medium eggs into a large bowl with 1+¼ cups of sugar. Using an electric whisk or stand mixer, whisk them together for a few minutes until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous.

Step 4: Pour the cooled melted chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Gently fold together, then stir in ¾ cup of all-purpose flour and 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. Then add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the bowl and briefly mix them in.

Step 5: Pour the mixture into your lined tin and spread it out evenly.

Step 6: Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the brownie has formed a crust on top and is slightly pulling away at the edges. It should wobble slightly in the middle if you give it a gentle shake.

Step 7: Let the brownie cool in the tin at room temperature then pop it in the fridge overnight (or in the freezer for 2 hours) to set.

Step 8: Using the baking paper overhang, lift the brownie out of the tin. Spread a thick layer of chocolate frosting over it then top with red, white and blue sprinkles.

frosted brownie covered with red and blue sprinkles

Step 9: Cut the brownie slab into squares, top each one with a USA flag cake topper and enjoy!

Top Tips

To make the frosting easier to spread, give it a good mix before adding it on top of the brownie. You can even put it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to loosen it.
To achieve clean-cut squares, use a warm, sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut.
If you can't find USA flag toppers, try making your own using food-dyed fondant or white chocolate.
For more tips, check out my brownie baking tips for beginners.

FAQs

How long do 4th of July brownies last?

They will keep well for at least 1 week if you keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. This means you can prep them well ahead of time for your celebrations. Check out my storing brownies guide for more tips.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, they can be frozen frosted or unfrosted for up to 3 months. To freeze, pop your slices into an airtight container, or freeze the entire slab on a baking tray until solid then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. To defrost, leave your brownies in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for an hour or two. Do not refreeze.

Why are my brownies gooey in the middle?

This can happen if the brownies are underbaked or you haven't let them chill for long enough. For a firm, fudgy texture, let them sit in the fridge overnight or pop them in the freezer for a couple of hours if you're pressed for time. You can use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy with baking time. See my ultimate brownie guide for more troubleshooting tips.

I hope you like these 4th July brownies. If you make them at home, be sure to leave a rating and comment below to let me know what you think. Enjoy!