The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

They’re billed as the bake-sale favorite, the last-minute hero, the pantry-friendly project that even the kids can make. They don’t require piping skills or fancy kitchen equipment; they just need one bowl and an oven.

The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

But until recently, I could never get them quite right. Getting them into the oven went smoothly; it was taking them out that induced panic. If my toothpick came out gooey, I had visions of serving raw brownie batter to guests.

The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

Too clean, and I knew I had overbaked them — which, in many ways, seemed worse. Ironically, the simple dessert that should be relieving my stress was causing me quite a bit of it.

The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

In America’s Test Kitchen’s chewy brownie recipe — which swept the competition — it says to “bake until toothpick inserted halfway between edge and center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.”

The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

Not only did this tell me what to look for on the toothpick, but also where to insert it.

The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

Of course, there’s always the risk that I’ll hit a chocolate chip, which looks like batter but is really just melted chocolate. That’s why I always test the brownies in a few different spots before making that crucial decision.

The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

Now I not only have a go-to brownie recipe, but also a foolproof way to test any chewy brownie — including the boxed ones — for doneness. And if I do end up with an overcooked batch? That’s what trifles are for.

The Right Way to Test Brownies with a Toothpick

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