Spicy Mexican Brownies Recipe

Sizzling Spicy Mexican Brownies Recipe: Fiery Sweet Treats

Chocolate and spice dance together in this delectable spicy Mexican brownies recipe, creating a mouthwatering treat that surprises taste buds.

Rich cocoa meets a subtle kick of warmth from carefully selected chili peppers.

The combination delivers a complex flavor profile that breaks traditional dessert boundaries.

Velvety brownie textures blend seamlessly with hints of cinnamon and cayenne.

Each bite promises a delightful culinary adventure that challenges ordinary sweet expectations.

These brownies transform an everyday chocolate dessert into an extraordinary sensory experience.

Prepare to indulge in a recipe that will spark conversation and leave everyone craving more.

How to Make Mexican Brownies Rich with a Touch of Heat

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and grab your baking pan. Grease it up or line with parchment paper for easy brownie removal.

  • Mix Wet Ingredients

Grab a bowl and whisk melted butter with sugar until they’re best friends. Crack in eggs and splash of vanilla, whisking until silky smooth.

  • Blend Dry Ingredients

Sprinkle in cocoa powder, flour, salt, cinnamon, and that spicy cayenne pepper. Stir gently – no aggressive mixing allowed! The batter should look rich and tempting.

  • Add Chocolate Magic

If you’re feeling extra indulgent, fold in chocolate chips for surprise bursts of sweetness.

  • Bake to Perfection

Pour the chocolatey goodness into your prepped pan. Spread evenly and slide into the hot oven. Bake for 22-26 minutes until a toothpick comes out with just a hint of moisture.

  • Cool and Serve

Let these spicy-sweet brownies chill for a bit. Slice into squares and dust with powdered sugar if you want to look like a dessert pro. Enjoy the kick of Mexican-inspired flavor!

Tips for Getting the Spice Level in Mexican Brownies Right

  • Adjust cayenne pepper from a pinch to 1/2 teaspoon based on heat tolerance, allowing personalized spiciness for mild to bold flavor preferences.
  • Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to make these brownies safe for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Mix in dark chocolate chunks or Mexican chocolate for deeper, richer chocolate notes that complement the warm spice profile.
  • Brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerated for up to a week, maintaining moisture and texture.
  • Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter to create a plant-based version that doesn't compromise on decadent taste and texture.

Serving Mexican Brownies with Ice Cream or Whip

  • Spicy Chocolate Dessert Plate: Arrange brownies on a rustic wooden board with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzling hot caramel sauce over the top for a decadent touch.
  • Mexicana Brownie Parfait: Layer crumbled brownie pieces with whipped cream, sprinkle with additional cinnamon, and top with a few fresh berries for color and brightness.
  • Afternoon Coffee Companion: Serve warm brownies alongside a rich espresso or Mexican hot chocolate, creating a perfect complementary flavor combination that highlights the recipe's subtle spice notes.
  • Festive Party Presentation: Cut brownies into bite-sized triangles, dust with powdered sugar, and arrange on a decorative platter with small chocolate chips scattered around for an elegant dessert display.

Storage Suggestions for Keeping Mexican Brownies Moist

  • Keep these spicy brownies in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
  • Prepare the brownie batter up to 2 days before baking and store covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let the batter sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before pouring into the pan.
  • Slice brownies after cooling completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. These chocolate treats will stay delicious for 3 months when frozen. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
  • Cut brownies into smaller bite-sized squares for easy snacking. Store these mini treats in portioned containers for quick grab-and-go desserts during busy weeks, perfect for lunch boxes or afternoon sweet cravings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

Mexican Brownies Ingredient Rundown with a Kick

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation with creamy depth for brownie texture.
  • Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps create crispy, crackling top layer.
For Binding Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together and creates soft, fudgy structure.
  • Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes.
For Flavor and Texture Enhancers:
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate essence and deep, dark color.
  • Flour: Creates structure and ensures proper brownie consistency.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies chocolate's rich flavor profile.
For Spice and Warmth:
  • Cinnamon: Adds warm, subtle Mexican-inspired undertone with gentle complexity.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Introduces surprising heat and exciting flavor dimension.
For Optional Richness:
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides unexpected bursts of melty chocolate throughout brownies.
For Finishing Touch:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates elegant, delicate presentation with soft, sweet dusting.

Tools to Bake Mexican Brownies Just Right

  • 8×8-inch baking pan: Essential for creating perfectly sized brownies with even baking.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending butter, sugar, eggs, and creating a smooth, lump-free batter.
  • Medium mixing bowl: Needed for combining dry and wet ingredients with ease.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices.
  • Toothpick: Great for checking brownies' doneness by testing the center.
  • Parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes removing brownies a breeze.
  • Spatula: Helpful for folding in chocolate chips and smoothing batter in the pan.
Print
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Spicy Mexican Brownies Recipe

Spicy Mexican Brownies Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Spicy Mexican brownies infuse classic chocolate desserts with cinnamon and chili heat. Rich cocoa and warm spices create an irresistible treat blending traditional American and Mexican culinary traditions you can’t resist enjoying.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste, start with 1/8 tsp for milder heat)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
  2. Wet Mixture: Combine melted butter and sugar in a medium bowl, whisking until smooth and fully integrated.
  3. Incorporate Eggs: Add eggs and vanilla to the butter-sugar mixture, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform blend.
  4. Dry Ingredients: Gently fold cocoa powder, flour, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper into the wet mixture, ensuring minimal stirring to maintain a tender texture.
  5. Chocolate Enhancement: Carefully fold in chocolate chips to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
  6. Pan Transfer: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth the surface and create an even layer.
  7. Baking Process: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 22-26 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Finishing Touch: Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting into squares, optionally dusting with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Ensure melted butter is slightly cooled before mixing to prevent scrambling eggs and maintain smooth batter consistency.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on heat tolerance; start with less and gradually increase for personalized spice level.
  • Gently fold chocolate chips to prevent sinking and ensure even spread throughout brownie batter.
  • Remove brownies from oven when toothpick shows moist crumbs for fudgy texture; overbaking leads to dry, crumbly brownies.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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