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The best supermarket chocolate brownies, according to our taste tests
Which supermarket brownie will take the crown?
It's impossible to resist a gooey, fudgy chocolate brownie. Or perhaps you prefer a lighter, more cakey texture? If there's one thing both camps can agree on, it's that a bland, bone-dry brownie is a no-go.
To quote none other than baking guru Mary Berry: "The best brownies are soft in the centre and have a crust on top." They must be sweet, but not sickly, and use quality cocoa for a rich taste (tip: dark chocolate adds a touch of bitterness that balances the flavour brilliantly). Pecans, chocolate chunks and swirls of salted caramel can all elevate a brownie to the highest echelons of taste.
Not everybody has time to make a fresh batch of brownies the moment a craving strikes, though. That's why the Good Housekeeping team has done the hard graft (somebody has to!) of testing shop-bought supermarket brownies to find the best chocolate brownies available on the shelves. It's time to satisfy your inner chocaholic...
How we test
Our consumer panel of testers tried a range of supermarket brownies, assessing each chocolatey treat on appearance, aroma, taste and texture. The results are in...
Lidl Deluxe Scottish Selection Premium Belgian Chocolate Brownie 200g
Overall score: 83/100
This premium brownie's enticing aroma quickly had our testers salivating. Generously studded with big chunks of dark chocolate, it has a crumbly bite that gives way to a fudgy middle. It tastes rich and high-quality, thanks to the luxurious buttery notes. The chocolate chips have a slight bitterness that helps round out the sweetness.
Overall score: 77/100
Dark and milk chocolate blend together to create this deeply chocolatey brownie that'll appeal to all tastes. Our testers enjoyed the balance of sweet and milky notes in both the aroma and the taste. Its smooth, melting texture is moreish, but the chocolate chunks are a little on the meagre side. More, please!
Overall score: 76/100
Here's one for dark chocolate fiends. Sprinkled with Belgian chocolate chunks, this thick brownie has a rich bitterness that's balanced by a hint of sweetness. Our testers praised the depth of its aroma, picking out earthy notes of coffee. The fudgy middle of this brownie feels indulgent, but its crust is a touch too dry and crumbly.
Sainsbury's Double Chocolate Brownie Bites
Overall score: 75/100
This dark chocolate brownie might be small, but it's jam-packed with chocolate chips. Our panel loved the rich aroma and subtle caramel notes in the flavour, but some testers found the taste too bitter. Despite its initial dry and cakey bite, the brownie has a pleasingly soft finish.
Overall score: 69/100
This brownie has a fudgy, chocolatey taste that pleased our testers. Though subtle, its sweet aroma has cosy hints of vanilla. However, its dense texture verges on too moist and some found it overly sugary. Despite the addition of milk chocolate chips, their flavour is lost.
Overall score: 62/100
Despite its strong colour and temptingly sweet aroma, the flavour of this brownie lacks depth. Some testers found the chocolate too sweet and artificial tasting. Its cakey appearance is reflective of its dry and slightly chewy texture.
Janet Leigh is the acting food testing manager at the GHI. From Easter in January to Christmas in July (and all that falls in-between), she leads the taste test team as they munch their way through sample after sample trying to find you the best products on the market. Whether it’s the latest trending foods or your cupboard staples, she covers it all. She now writes for Digital Spy
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