This Panera Iced Brownie Copycat recipe produces a rich, chocolate chunk brownie with a creamy dark chocolate ganache. They are the perfect brownie to satisfy a major chocolate craving!
The Panera Iced Brownie Copycat recipe
The Panera Iced Brownie Copycat recipe comes pretty close to Panera Bread’s Fudge Brownie that they no longer sell. It is a fudge chocolate chunk brownie with chocolate ganache icing.
This recipe calls for simple ingredients and only takes one bowl for the brownies. Here’s what you’ll need for this Panera Bread copycat brownie recipe:
- Dark chocolate
- Heavy cream
- Semisweet chocolate
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Cocoa powder
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Semisweet chocolate chips
The best cocoa powder for brownies
I like to use Dutch-process cocoa powder for brownies. Dutch process cocoa powder has a smoother chocolate flavor and produces a better crumb, according to Serious Eats.
If you do not have Dutch-process cocoa powder on hand, you can use regular cocoa powder. The brownies will just be lighter in color and the crumb will be different.
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Why I love these Panera Iced Brownie Copycat brownies
One of my favorite memories is when my mom would let my sister and I pick out a treat at Panera. Sometimes I would branch out and try seasonal baked goods, but the go-to was the fudgy Panera Iced Brownie, for obvious reasons. The ganache was rich and creamy and the brownie was fudgy and packed full of chocolate.
My mom rarely eats dessert, but when she does her go-to is a brownie. So whenever she visits I always make her a pan of brownies. This is my favorite brownie recipe that I make for her that I updated to include a creamy dark chocolate ganache.
In the mood for something different? Try my other pastries:
- Best Ever Soft Cinnamon Rolls
- Softest Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Traditional Texas-Czech Kolaches
- Raspberry Cream Scones
- Strawberry Mango Homemade Pop-Tarts
- Kouign-Amann (Round)
- Mango Cardamom Scones
Tips
When testing the brownies, poke the middle with a toothpick or cake tester. If it comes out with wet batter, the brownies are not done. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the brownies are ready.
Pop the brownies in the fridge for a few minutes to make the brownies easier to slice. I also like to clean the knife in between slices.
Lastly, if you make this Panera Iced Brownie Copycat recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating. I love to see when people make my recipes, so please tag me @youthsweets on Instagram if you post!
📖 Recipe
Panera Iced Brownie Copycat
Ingredients
Dark chocolate ganache
- 8 oz dark chocolate (~200g) chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream (100g)
Chocolate chunk brownies
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (175g)
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate bar (113g) chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dutch-process cocoa powder (82g)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (170g) optional
Instructions
Do ahead
- The dark chocolate ganache can be made ahead of time.
- Grease a 9x13 baking pan and line with parchment paper.
Make the ganache
- Combine the chopped dark chocolate and heavy cream in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a medium saucepan with an inch of water over medium heat.
- Stir until chocolate is completely melted and combined with the cream.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Make the brownies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine butter and half of the chopped semisweet chocolate (2 oz) in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments until completely melted, whisking in between heating.
- Add sugar and whisk until combined. Add eggs and vanilla. Whisk until combined.
- Fold in flour, cocoa powder and salt with a rubber spatula. Add the rest of the chopped chocolate (2 oz) and chocolate chips (if using) and fold in until combined. The batter will be thick.
- Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes*.
- Let cool completely before spreading the dark chocolate ganache on top.
OK You don't even understand how long I've been testing brownie recipes and frosting/icing recipes trying to figure out how the heck to make these dang brownies! I curse Panera every day for discontinuing these brownies. And the frosting reminded me of Fuddruckers brownie frosting too. Have you ever been to Fuddruckers? Is that still a thing? Anyway! I will be trying this recipe tout de suite. Thanks so so much for loving these brownies as much as I do so you could develop a copycat! There isn't a copycat recipe out there that I've found before this one. And I've been looking for a loooong time.
Yay a fellow panera iced brownie lover!! I have never had the Fuddruckers brownie, but I am definitely going to try to find it. I hope you like this recipe! I'll admit I don't know if the icing is 100 percent just like Panera's, but let me know your thoughts! I will definitely continue to try to update it along the way. I am already thinking perhaps it needs butter or a bit of sweetener.
I have made countless brownie recipes over the years and finally found the magic one. These are simply phenomenal! I've found my forever go-to brownie recipe!
That makes me so happy!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. 🙂