Crispy, Gooey, and Chocolaty, Brownie Edge Pieces Are Undeniably the Best

Whether they're fudgy and rich or packed with chocolate and nuts, brownies are kind of the perfect dessert, if you ask me. They fill the house with an unmistakably mouthwatering scent and somehow manage to be crumbly and moist at the same time. Despite their sweet perfection, brownies do bring up one age-old question that has my family practically wrestling each other over every time I whip up a batch: what section of the brownie tray is the best?

As someone who's eaten a lot of brownies in her life, I would never shy away from a wonderfully crunchy corner piece or an ooey gooey center piece hot out of the oven. But, when it comes down to it, edge pieces are the real stars of the show. Often overlooked, edge pieces are a happy medium between the moist center and the crispy corners, adding just a little bit of crunch to the warm, chocolaty goodness.

Now, my dad might argue that edge pieces are nothing compared to center pieces, which are clearly superior because they're cakey, soft, and melt in your mouth. Not to mention, the center pieces tend to be gold mines for mix-ins like chocolate chips, walnuts, or mini marshmallows. My mom, on the other hand, would say that corner pieces are truly where it's at, because what's dessert without a little bit of crunch? The crispy-to-soft edge ratio is perfectly 50/50, and there are only four corner pieces for any batch of brownies, making them the rarest — and therefore tastiest — treat.

But, when I reach for a brownie, I don't want to have to grab a fork every time because it's too soft to eat with my hands, and I definitely don't want the sometimes overcooked corners that leave more crumbs on my shirt than in my mouth. I want a dessert that's mostly soft and gooey but that also has a little bit of crunch and substance to it. I want a dessert that's rich and chocolaty, but that doesn't fall apart in my hand. And, most of all, I want a brownie that makes me want to reach for a second piece ASAP. That's why I highly recommend two things for all edge-brownie-lovers: this maze-like brownie pan that only make edge pieces, and my go-to recipe for vegan almond butter brownies by Simply Quinoa. The combination of the ingenious pan design and the moist brownie batter makes for perfect edges every time.

At the end of the day, all brownies — including blondies and slutty brownies — are delicious as long as they're made with a little bit of love. But, if you put a hot tray and a cold glass of milk in front of me, you can bet I'm reaching for an edge piece every time. Check out the full recipe ahead, and order an all-edge pan for yourself to create the ultimate edge-piece brownies.