You would think that, with all the chaos in the world, family debates would have an international flavor.  Ukraine, Iran, Venezuela, Minnesota?  (Yes, these days even Minnesota sounds like a foreign country.)

Not in this household.

The current squabble is a culinary conflict.  This age-old question, with no definitive answer, may just be a distraction from the vicious political diatribes we hear every day on social media.  But, let’s be serious. Some people may consider this question just as serious as an invasion of Greenland.  Yes, that’s right.  I am talking about the great brownie debate.  

Crunchy corner or gooey fudgy center?

There are those among us who cannot fathom the need for any debate.  Who doesn’t relish and savor the crunchy corner of a brownie with its combination of uniquely contrasting textures, enhanced flavor, and its status as a scarce commodity in the pan? There are only four such pieces, making it the most coveted slice of chocolate flavor.

Yet there are some people whose culinary tastes settle for the bland, “middle” piece, which, in my humble opinion, provides only a soft, featureless experience.

As you might guess, I am a corner guy.

Ever since high school, when I would flirt with Anna Ruth Newsome, one of our cafeteria ladies, into giving me the corner piece of brownie, I have been obsessed with that crunchy double-edged piece of cocoa bliss.

I love how a corner piece provides the highest “edge-to-soft” ratio, with two crispy, crunchy edges and a tender, moist center. This mix of textures—chewy, crispy, and fudgy—is far better than the uniform softness of the center.

Give me crunch!

While you middle-loving brownie people need a fork or spoon to eat the ooey-gooey mess in the center of the brownie pan, we corner lovers can enjoy the firm, crunchy edges with our bare hands. And we often get to do some finger-licking to savor any delicious residue that’s left behind.

For you doubters out there, I can prove that the corner pieces have a bigger fan base than the center folks. Yes, such pieces are so popular that they have inspired specialized cookware designed to make every piece a double-edged one.

Alas, it occurs to me that I am probably just a crunchy-loving guy, period. After all, I’m the same way with lasagna, cornbread, and casseroles. 

All hail the crusty edge!