Norfolk baker Becky Allsop, owner of Becky's Bakes in East Harling, has shared her secret ingredient for making what she calls the 'best' gooey brownies: mayonnaise. The revelation, posted on social media, has divided opinion among viewers.
The Secret Ingredient Revealed
In a video, Allsop teased her audience before showing a bottle of mayonnaise being added to brownie batter. Mayonnaise, an emulsion of oil and eggs, can replace butter or oil in baking, resulting in a fudgy, moist texture without a savoury taste.
According to Sara Haas, a food and nutrition expert at AllRecipes, 'mayonnaise provides moisture, which keeps the baked goods soft and tender, just like adding oil would do.' She recommends a one-to-one substitution for oil in any brownie recipe.
Public Reaction
Comments on the video ranged from disgust to praise. One user said, 'That's just gross,' while another added, 'Nooo not in my brownies!' However, supporters noted that 'mayonnaise is only oil and egg,' and one remarked, 'Anyone who's ever tried one of your brownies will know that it works!'
Another commenter recalled making a chocolate cake with mayonnaise in the 1980s, calling it 'the most amazing chocolate cake ever.'
Why It Works
Baking experts explain that the emulsified nature of mayonnaise ensures even distribution of fat, leading to a consistent crumb and enhanced moisture retention. This hack works for both scratch and box-mix brownies.
