Tempura Brownies
Taiwan is a melting pot. We were ruled by the Japanese government for fifty years. The arrival of the Japanese in 1895 brought an array of ingredients ranging from seaweed and raw fish to tempura and miso. Most of our elders speak Japanese, and Japanese food is my comfort food. When I was little, tempura was a treat that I looked forward to indulging in every time my dad or grandma took me to a nice Japanese restaurant. I can never resist the crunchy feeling of a tempura shrimp in my mouth. Never! Now I am in my thirties, and those crunchy treats bring me back to my childhood. Every time I see a plate of tempura shrimp, my eyes light up with joy and excitement.
Brownies were a novelty for me, but for Robin, they were a huge part of her childhood and spark happy memories. Just like tempura is my weakness, brownies are Robin’s weakness. She also loves fried food. “If you fry it, I will eat it,” she said. So here we are, the tempura brownie—an Asian twist on an American confectionary classic. You can’t go wrong!
Tempura Brownies
Equipment
- Cutlery
- Chef’s knife
- Chopping board
- Bakeware
- Dry and wet measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Loaf pan
- Resting rack
- Hand tools/Gadgets
- Whisk
- Ice cream or cookie scoop
- Slotted spoon
- Rubber spatula
- Spiderweb
- Cookware
- Small saucepan
- Appliances
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer with whisk attachments
- Fryer or a deep pot with canola oil
Ingredients
Brownies
- 125 grams 4.5 ounces 70% dark chocolate
- 85 grams 6 tablespoons Butter
- 2 Eggs
- 150 grams ¾ cup Sugar
- 40 grams ¼ cup Flour
- 25 grams 3 tablespoons Cocoa powder
- ½ tsp Salt
Tempura Batter
- 1 ¾ cups All purpose flour
- 1 Egg
- 1 ½ cup Ice water
- ¼ cup Cocoa powder optional
Instructions
To make the brownies
- Melt the chocolate and butter in a small saucepan, whisk until glossy and smooth.
- Beat the eggs and sugar in a mixer with the whisk attachment until light and fluffy. The mixture should be pale yellow.
- Add in the melted chocolate mixture. Mix until combined.
- Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients mixture to the mixer.
- Mix just until combined and a smooth batter is formed.
- Spray a loaf pan liberally with non-stick spray.
- Add in the brownie batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20–30 minutes. (You want them to be slightly underbaked, so they are easier to scoop later.)
- Let the brownies cool completely then scoop brownie balls with a cookie scoop.
To make the tempura batter
- Preheat fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Beat egg in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the ice water and whisk to combine.
- Add the flour and cocoa and whisk lightly to combine. Do NOT overwork the batter.
- Working in batches, dip the brownie balls in the batter and then carefully place them in the oil.
- Fry until crispy.
Notes
Storage Tips
Trust me, you’ll eat these all in one sitting.Chef's Notes
Melissa recommends Valrhona Noir Guanja 70% dark chocolate for this recipe. It’s bittersweet and elegant! For a less chocolatey dish you can use just flour in the tempura batter. These go great with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even powdered sugar. If you want to add another playful component to this dessert, please try our soy caramel! They are BFFs just like Robin and Melissa!Join Our Community at Patreon
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Here are the Amazon affiliate links for you to order the ingredients and tools to create this delicious dish.
Cutlery
Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board, 17.5-Inch by 13-Inch, Natural/Slate
Miyabi 34313-213 Fusion Morimoto Edition Chef's Knife, 8-inch, Black w/Red Accent/Stainless Steel
Electrics
KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red
Bakeware
OXO Good Grips Cookie Scoop 3-Pack
OXO Good Grips Measuring Cups and Spoons Set, Stainless Steel
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set
USA Pan 1140LF Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan, 1 Pound, Silver
Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick Cooling Rack, 16.75-Inch-by-11.75-Inch
Cookware
Le Creuset LS2518-1617 Signature Enameled Cast Iron Saucepan, 1-3/4-Quart, Caribbean
Hand Tools/Gadgets
Le Creuset JS410-17 Craft Series Medium Spatula, 11 1/8" x 2 1/4", Caribbean
Food
Valrhona French Gourmet Chocolate Bars "Guanaja" Dark Chocolate 70% with Cocoa nibs, 2 Pack 2x3oz
Valrhona 100% Pure Cocoa Powder (8.8 ounce) (Pack of 2)
Domino Pure Cane Organic Sugar - 24 oz
Melissa Lee
Chief Entertainment Officer
Melissa is 100% MIT (Made in Taiwan), where she worked as a food writer. She’s also worked alongside renowned chefs like Ming Tsai and Joanne Chang, honing her craft and gathering stories along the way. Part story-teller, part educator, and part food lover, Melissa brings a special blend of experience, skill, and enthusiasm to her work. She blends her Asian background, her new home of New England, and love of food and culture to bring joy, optimism, and inspiration to food lovers and fun-seekers everywhere.
What sparked your passion for the industry?
The desire to make things by hand. The joy of sharing delicious, hearty food with students. The opportunity for people to get connected via cooking and baking. When a child smiled broadly and told me it’s the best scone he has ever made and eaten, it really made my day!
In your opinion, what’s the most important course?
Well, I usually take a peek at the wine list first. I like tapas style, so the course doesn’t really matter. Cheese and charcuterie are always a good place to start. And since I’m a pastry chef, there is always room for dessert!
Bill Gates is picking up your tab, where would you go?
Noma, Copenhagen.