If you’re craving a treat that’s rich, warmly spiced, and downright comforting, you have to try this Broonie Recipe. It’s a delightful blend of moist cake and hearty oatmeal with a deep hint of molasses and aromatic spices like cinnamon and ginger. Each bite feels like a cozy hug, perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as your own little indulgence. Once you make this recipe, it’s bound to become one of your go-to favorites when you want something both simple and spectacular.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Broonie Recipe is all about simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create an unforgettable flavor and texture. Each component plays a vital role, from the creamy butter enriching every bite to the quick cooking oatmeal adding that signature chewiness.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup plus 1-2 tsp for greasing): Softened butter ensures a smooth batter and adds depth to the flavor.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the Broonie perfectly without overpowering the spices.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides the structure so that your Broonie holds together beautifully.
- Baking soda (1 1/2 tsp): Gives the Broonie a light lift, making it tender and airy.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): Adds a warm and comforting spice note.
- Ground ginger (1 tsp): Brings a zesty kick that pairs amazingly with the molasses.
- Salt (3/4 tsp): Balances all the sweetness and enhances the spices.
- Quick cooking oatmeal (1/2 cup): Adds wonderful texture and a subtle nuttiness.
- Whole egg (1) and egg yolks (2): Make the Broonie rich, moist, and help bind everything together.
- Unsulfered molasses (1 cup): The star ingredient that delivers that deep, earthy sweetness.
- Hot water (1 cup) about 130-150℉: Helps dissolve and distribute flavors evenly.
How to Make Broonie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350℉ and grease a 9 1/2 by 12 inch rectangle baking pan with 1 to 2 teaspoons of softened butter. This step ensures your Broonie releases easily after baking and gets beautiful edges all the way around.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and quick cooking oatmeal. Mixing these dry ingredients first makes sure you get a well-balanced, spice-filled Broonie base that’s consistent throughout.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it integrates air, which gives your Broonie a tender crumb. Next, add the whole egg and the two egg yolks, beating everything until it’s smooth and pale.
Step 4: Incorporate Wet and Dry Ingredients Alternately
Now, take about one-quarter of your molasses, hot water, and dry ingredients mixture, and add them to the butter and egg blend. Mix gently until everything is just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then repeat this process three more times. This approach helps keep your batter silky and ensures all ingredients are evenly distributed without overmixing.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the greased pan and smooth the top. Pop it into your oven and bake for about 45 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The aroma filling your kitchen at this point is absolutely intoxicating!
Step 6: Cool and Prepare to Enjoy
Allow your Broonie to cool in the pan. Once it’s at room temperature, slice it up and get ready for the best part—the taste! Serve it with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon to elevate every mouthful.
How to Serve Broonie Recipe
Garnishes
Broonie tastes wonderful on its own but adding a dollop of freshly whipped cream truly brings out its rich, molasses flavor. A light dusting of cinnamon or even a sprinkle of chopped nuts can add a crunchy contrast that will keep you coming back for more.
Side Dishes
If you want to turn your Broonie into a complete dessert experience, consider pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a side of warm fruit compote. Both help balance the deep warm spices with freshness and a bit of creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting your Broonie into small squares and serving them on a beautiful plate drizzled with honey or chocolate sauce. You can also layer slices with mascarpone and fresh berries for an elegant twist that looks and tastes amazing at any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your leftover Broonie tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to three days, making it perfect for prepping ahead for a week’s worth of indulgence.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Broonie longer, slice it into portions and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer bag or container. It will stay delicious for up to three months and thaw gently in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
To warm your Broonie, pop a slice in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or heat it briefly in a preheated oven at 300℉. A little warmth revives the molasses flavor and softens the oatmeal for a treat that tastes freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use dark molasses instead of unsulfered molasses?
Absolutely! Dark molasses will make your Broonie even richer and a bit more robust in flavor. Just keep in mind it might darken the color and increase the intensity of that signature molasses taste.
What is the texture of a Broonie like?
This Broonie Recipe results in a moist, soft cake with a slight chew from the oatmeal. It’s not as dense as a traditional brownie but has a wonderful heartiness that makes it unique.
Can I substitute the quick cooking oatmeal?
You can try using rolled oats if you pulse them briefly in a food processor to break them down a bit. Instant oats are too fine and may alter the texture, so quick cooking oats are your best bet.
Is this recipe suitable for making in smaller pans?
This recipe works best in a roughly 9 1/2 by 12 inch pan to ensure even baking. If you want to use smaller pans, reduce the baking time and check for doneness earlier to avoid overbaking.
Can I make this Broonie Recipe vegan?
To adapt this recipe for vegans, you could replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg or other egg substitute. Keep in mind that the texture might be a bit different but still delicious.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Broonie Recipe that makes it a standout for cozy afternoons or anytime you want a sweet treat with character. From the comforting spices to the rich molasses and soft chew of oatmeal, it’s a dessert that feels like home. I can’t recommend enough that you give it a try and see how it quickly becomes one of your favorite recipes to bake and share.
Print
Broonie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Broonie is a moist, spiced ginger molasses cake with a rich, soft texture and a comforting blend of cinnamon and ginger. Perfectly baked to a golden finish, this treat pairs wonderfully with freshly whipped cream and a hint of cinnamon on top, making it an ideal dessert for cozy gatherings or a delightful afternoon snack.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temp, plus 1–2 tsp. for greasing pan)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
- 1 whole egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup unsulfered molasses
- 1 cup hot water (about 130-150℉)
For Serving
- Freshly whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350℉ and grease the bottom and sides of a 9 1/2 x 12 inch rectangular baking pan with 1-2 teaspoons of softened butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and quick cooking oatmeal. Stir these together well to ensure an even distribution of spices and leavening.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well blended. Then add the whole egg and egg yolks, beating until the batter becomes airy and pale in color.
- Incorporate molasses, water, and dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the molasses, hot water, and dry ingredients in four additions, each about a quarter of the total amount. After each addition, thoroughly mix to incorporate and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure uniformity.
- Bake the batter: Pour the fully mixed batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Cool and serve: Allow the broonie to cool in the pan before serving. Enhance the presentation and flavor by topping slices with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for smooth creaming with sugar.
- Use hot water between 130-150℉ to help dissolve the molasses and activate baking soda.
- Do not overmix after adding dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
- Test doneness with a toothpick; if it comes out with moist crumbs, the broonie is ready.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
