Fudgy or cakey? You decide!
The first brownies were made by the chefs at Chicago’s Palmer Hotel in 1893. The World Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago that year, and the people running it asked the chefs to create an all-new baked good recipe to include in the boxed lunches sold at the fair’s Women’s Pavillion. More specifically, they asked the hotel chefs to come up with something small that could be picked up and eaten without a fork… but, of course, would still pack a lot of flavor. The first brownie was made with walnuts inside and an apricot glaze on top.