In the hierarchy of desserts, brownies belong at the very top. The handheld squares are ridiculously satisfying, offering decadence, chew, and of course, chocolatey goodness. But perhaps the best part is how easy they are to make, requiring little more than a mixing bowl and a whisk. Need a last-minute treat for the potluck? Make brownies. Craving something sweet at midnight? Make brownies!

Of course, having a go-to recipe makes the process that much quicker—which is why I’m here to test and rate the five most popular ones on Allrecipes.com. As a recipe developer, food writer, and avid brownie baker, I was up for the challenge.

Allrecipes