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    Home » Desserts » French Silk Brownies

    French Silk Brownies

    Published: Jan 18, 2018 · Modified: Jan 31, 2022 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    French silk brownies are delicious homemade brownies! These chewy brownies are topped with layers of creamy chocolate mousse and rich whipped cream for the ultimate brownie!

    Silver fork taking a bite of a French silk brownie.

    What do you do when you love a pie's filling but aren't big into pie crust? You trade the crust for brownies and end up with an incredibly delicious mash-up like these French Silk Brownies.

    These French silk brownies aren't difficult to make, but they do require quite a bit of time between the cooling and chilling times. The time is time well spent, though, because the combination of fudgy brownies, fluffy chocolate silk, and whipped cream make these some of the best brownies ever!

    I get a little nervous about feeding my family anything with raw eggs, so the chocolate layer doesn't have any raw eggs (or any eggs at all) in it. The chocolate filling is so light and fluffy and delicious that I don't think you'll miss them.

    Ingredients for French silk brownies in dishes.

    Ingredients

    • Butter - I use salted butter. If you're using unsalted butter, increase the salt to 1 teaspoon.
    • Granulated sugar
    • Vanilla extract
    • Large eggs
    • All-purpose flour
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder - I've used Dutch-processed and regular unsweetened cocoa powder. Either one will work.
    • Salt
    • Miniature marshmallows - I find miniature marshmallows easier to work with, but full-size marshmallows will work.
    • Semi-sweet baking chocolate - It's important to use baking chocolate so that it will melt nicely.
    • Milk - Any milk from skim to whole milk will work.
    • Heavy whipping cream

    How to make French silk brownies

    Brownies

    Butter melting in a saucepan.

    In a large saucepan, melt butter. Turn heat to low, and stir in sugar. Let cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes.

    Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Let mixture cool for about 5 minutes.

    Whisk in eggs until combined.

    Dry ingredients on top of wet ingredients for brownies in a saucepan.

    Add flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Whisk in until just incorporated.

    Brownie batter in a 9 by 9 pan.

    Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading batter as needed. Bake for 20-30 minutes.

    Baked brownie in a 9 by 9 pan.

    The edges should look done, but the center should still look shiny. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few fudgy crumbs.

    Cool brownies completely in the pan.

    Chocolate mousse

    Marshmallows and chopped chocolate in a saucepan.

    To make the mousse, heat marshmallows, chocolate, and milk in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until completely melted and smooth.

    Cool melted chocolate mixture completely. It's important that this mixture is completely cool. Otherwise you will end up with liquid mousse.

    In a separate bowl, beat whipping cream to stiff peaks. Fold in cooled chocolate mixture.

    Spread mousse evenly over brownies. Cover, and chill brownies for at least 30 minutes.

    Whipped cream

    To make the whipped cream, beat cream and sugar together with a stand mixer or electric mixer in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Spoon whipped cream over the chocolate layer. If you'd like more tips on how to make whipped cream, check out this post.

    Brownies can be served at this point, or you can chill them for cleaner cut lines. Top with chocolate shavings or chocolate curls, if desired.

    Cover, and chill leftover brownies.

    A fork taking a bite of French silk brownies.

    Storage

    Cover and store any leftover French silk pie brownies in the refrigerator. The brownies will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.

    Overhead picture of French silk brownies with bite on fork next to the plate.

    More brownie recipes!

    • One Bowl Brownies
    • Brownie Cookie Recipe
    • Brownie Bites

    If you’ve tried this French silk brownie recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Silver fork taking a bite of a French silk brownie.

    French Silk Brownies

    French silk brownies are chewy brownies topped with a rich and creamy chocolate silk layer and then all topped with whipped cream.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 353kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Ingredients

    Brownies

    • ¾ cup butter
    • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 large eggs
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder*
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Chocolate Mousse

    • ¾ cup miniature marshmallows
    • 4 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate chopped
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

    Whipped Cream

    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • â…“ cup granulated sugar
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or use parchment paper to line a 9x9-inch baking pan.
    • In a large saucepan, melt butter.
    • Turn heat to low, and stir in sugar. Let cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes.
    • Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
    • Let mixture cool for about 5 minutes.
    • Whisk in eggs until combined.
    • Add flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Whisk in until just incorporated.
    • Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading batter as needed.
    • Bake for 20-30 minutes. The edges should look done, but the center should still look shiny. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few fudgy crumbs.
    • Cool brownies completely in the pan.
    • To make the mousse, heat marshmallows, chocolate, and milk in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until completely melted and smooth.
    • Cool completely. It's important that this mixture is completely cool. Otherwise you will end up with liquid mousse. 
    • In a separate bowl, beat whipping cream to stiff peaks.
    • Fold in cooled chocolate mixture.
    • Spread mousse evenly over brownies.
    • Cover, and chill brownies for at least 30 minutes.
    • To make the whipped cream, beat cream and sugar together until stiff peaks form. 
    • Spoon whipped cream over the chocolate layer.**
    • Brownies can be served at this point, or you can chill them for cleaner cut lines. 
    • Cover, and chill leftover brownies.

    Video

    Notes

    • Butter - I use salted butter. If you're using unsalted butter, increase the salt to 1 teaspoon.
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder - I've used Dutch-processed and regular unsweetened cocoa powder. Either one will work.
    • Miniature marshmallows - I find miniature marshmallows easier to work with, but full-size marshmallows will work.
    • Semi-sweet baking chocolate - It's important to use baking chocolate so that it will melt nicely.
    • Milk - Any milk from skim to whole milk will work.
    • In order to avoid pulling up the mousse, I pile the whipped cream in the middle, and then gently spread out to the corners.
    • Prep time doesn't include cooling or chilling times.
    • Nutrition values are estimates.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 745IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1.2mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!

    Originally published 1/18/18. Updated with new photos, tips, and information on 1/19/22.

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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Faathima

      February 03, 2022 at 9:23 am

      Can I swop out the mini marshmallows for marshmallow fluff instead?

      Reply
      • Kate

        February 03, 2022 at 9:46 pm

        Hi - I haven't tried using marshmallow fluff to say for certain.

        Reply
    2. Hannah

      February 02, 2022 at 11:49 pm

      5 stars
      It’s almost midnight, the brownies are done and I’m enjoying my brownie as I type this review. I love mousse and I love brownies and this combination is perfect.

      Reply
      • Kate

        February 03, 2022 at 9:49 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Jenny

      April 13, 2018 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      Best brownies EVER!!!! Made these brownies to take to work and everone went crazy!! lol

      Reply
      • Kate

        April 13, 2018 at 11:43 pm

        Yay!! I'm so glad! Thanks for taking the time to come back and comment!

        Reply
    4. Natalie

      January 19, 2018 at 8:48 am

      OMG YUM! My mouth is literally watering! Looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 19, 2018 at 11:07 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply

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