Next, it’s time to sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt in another bowl. I find that sifting makes a big difference in the texture of the brownies; it helps avoid any lumps of cocoa that could ruin the fudgy consistency. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—this will ensure those yummy brownies are soft and rich. Then, here comes the fun part: slowly stir in the Dr Pepper! I love the fizz sound it makes as you mix it into the batter, and it really adds that unique flavor profile.
If you’re feeling indulgent, toss in some chocolate chips at this stage, then pour the batter into your prepared baking pan. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Don’t worry if they seem a little underbaked; they’ll continue to set after you take them out of the oven. Let those heavenly brownies cool in the pan—don’t you just love the smell wafting through your kitchen? (See the next page below to continue steps…)