While coming up with an inspiration for our next taste test, it suddenly hit us like a ton of bricks (or, maybe more accurately, like an 11-pound block of Callebaut): brownies. After several Westchester bakeries sent over their best batch, we proceeded to judge them on flavor and texture. Of course, one’s preferred brownie texture is a deeply personal thing, but fudgy seemed to reign supreme. (Though, we had no qualms about ones that were chewy or cakey either.) We did identify two cardinal brownie sins: They should never be dry, and they should never lack abundant chocolate flavor. In the end, five favorites made their way to the top of the pack (and the bottom of our stomachs).
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Fifth Place: Provisions Cafe and Bake Shop, Pelham (103 points)
“Really sugary, but with great texture” summed up our feelings. While some balked at the sugar levels, most loved their “crisp, sugary crust” and “nice and rich” chocolate flavor, with one taster dubbing them “chewy, yummy, amazing.”
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Fourth Place: Cocoa Chocolate Shop, Larchmont (117.5 points)
Similar to those from Provisions, Cocoas’ had a “melts-in-your-mouth texture with a crackly crust” and were “super sweet but yummy,” with hints of vanilla. Still, some tasters wanted more chocolate.
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Third Place: Market North, Armonk (118 points)
These brownie cups from Eric Gabrynowicz’s gourmet market got high marks for their “nice, thick texture” that was “moist” and “cakey.” And while most tasters registered the flavor as being somewhat “mild,” several noted that the chocolate had “nice complexity.”
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Second Place: Baked by Susan, Croton-on-Hudson (138 points)
Despite comments including, “I don’t love the nuts, but the fudgy texture is great” and, “Not a fan of nuts, but, if I were, this would be winner” the high scores for these brownies proved just how much we loved them. They were “rich and decadent” with a “pretty perfect consistency” that some tasters felt resembled boxed brownies in the best possible way (read: amazing, chewy texture). Fans of the nuts “loved the punch of salt.”
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First Place: Lulu Cake Boutique, Scarsdale (151 points)
While they resemble fudge squares than a typical brownie, we were head over heels for these “rich and delicious,” “wildly fudgy” desserts. Tasters called out the “super dark chocolate favor.” Did we mention they’re also gluten-free? One comment summed it up perfectly: “not very brownie-like, but excellent.”
