Easy Homemade Brownies

Bake the ultimate Easy Homemade Brownies with this family-favorite recipe. There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly baked brownies straight from the oven. The aroma that fills your kitchen and the warm, gooey texture of a brownie that’s just been baked from scratch makes you feel like you’re a pro baker. Simple to make and perfect for any chocolate lover, these chocolate bars will become your go-to dessert for every occasion.

This simple dessert recipe bakes rich, fudgy, and incredibly delicious brownies. These fudgy brownies come together in under an hour from start to finish, with minimal tools and ingredients! The result is a decadent chocolate treat that is so much better than a boxed mix.

There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey brownie. Whether you prefer them fudgy, chewy, or cakey, there’s a brownie out there for every taste bud. If you enjoy a decadent chocolate treat like these German Chocolate Brownies or a drizzle of your favorite toppings like homemade caramel sauce, this will be your go-to recipe.

Let’s face it, homemade brownies are in a league of their own. Making easy homemade brownies (or any of their delightful variations) is a surefire way to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Easy Homemade Brownies

The best part of this recipe, besides the rich chocolate flavor, is that it uses simple ingredients. About the only item you may need to stock up on is the unsweetened cocoa powder. If you’ve baked any type of chocolate cookie (these chewy chocolate sugar cookies are my fav), you may have the cocoa powder already.

Preparing the batter is easy. Measure and mix the dry ingredients and then blend together the wet ingredients. Combine the two and pour the mixed batter into the prepared baking pan. Easy.

It may be easy to use a box mix to make brownies, but homemade is so much better and it’s actually very easy to make and less expensive. That box makes one batch. With the ingredients always in your kitchen, you can make brownies anytime you want without going to the store.

What makes a brownie fudgy vs. cake-like?

It’s all in how you bake the brownies and the combination of ingredients used.

How do I achieve a fudgy brownie?

For a fudgy brownie, underbake slightly. The batter should still be slightly wet in the center. Use good quality cocoa powder and don’t overmix the batter.

How do I achieve a chewy brownie?

A balance of wet and dry ingredients is key for a chewy brownie. Don’t overbake and use a combination of granulated and brown sugar for added moisture.

How do I achieve a cakey brownie?

To achieve a cakey texture, bake your brownies for the full recommended time. Increase the amount of flour and baking powder slightly, and just use the granulated sugar.

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What’s the best chocolate to use for brownies?

Unsweetened cocoa powder is the foundation for rich flavor. I like to use Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder as it darkens the color and deepens the flavor. It’s a personal preference. For extra indulgence, add semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips to the batter.

Can I use oil instead of butter?

Yes, you can use oil instead of butter. However, the texture will be different. Vegetable oil can add a unique flavor. The butter actually gives a fudgier texture and is softer. Using vegetable oil brownies results in a chewier bite and the top and edges are more crunchier. Again, it’s a personal preference.

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Timesaving Tips and Variations

• Stir the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to tough brownies.
• Brownies continue to cook after being removed from the oven. Check for doneness a few minutes before the end of the baking time.
• Allowing brownies to cool completely before cutting helps them set and makes slicing easier.
• If time allows, I like to create ziplock bags with the dry ingredients, label the bags, and store them in my pantry. When I want to make brownies, I simply blend the wet ingredients, add the contents of the bag to the bowl, and proceed with the baking directions.
• Add some peanut butter or chocolate chips to the batter. Nuts are also a great add-in.
• Bake in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats that are perfect for parties.

You can double the recipe and bake in a 9×13 pan. Start with a similar bake time as in the recipe card below, adding a few minutes more at a time as needed.

Essential Tools for Making Brownies

The tools needed for this recipe are standard items. I linked my favorite hand mixer.

Ingredients

The ingredients you use are simple and ones that are readily available at your local grocery store. I’ve linked the cocoa powder I use but as I mentioned above, regular unsweetened cocoa powder is also great to use in this recipe.

• flour
• salt
• Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder
• unsalted butter
• sugar
• eggs
• vanilla extract

Directions to Make

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. If you’re using parchment paper or aluminum foil to line your 8 x 8 baking dish do so now and spray it with non-stick spray. Alternatively, you can just spray the pan. The reason for the liner is so that you can remove the baked brownies from the pan to cut them more easily. Set pan aside.

Into a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, kosher salt, and cocoa powder, and set aside. Using a handheld mixer and a large bowl, cream the butter for approximately 3 minutes. Then add in the white granulated sugar and continue creaming together for an additional two minutes. Finally, add in one egg at a time and mix thoroughly after each egg. Then add in the pure vanilla extract.

Turn the mixer off and add half of the dry ingredients. Turn the mixer back on low and combine the ingredients. Turn the mixer back off and add in the remaining ingredients then turn it back on low and continue combining, being sure not to overmix.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out making sure it’s level. Place into the oven and set the timer for 30 minutes. At the 30-minute mark, check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If nothing comes out on the toothpick, then they are done.

Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes. Then remove the brownies from the pan, cut, serve, and enjoy.

Fresh from the oven, these brownies are pure indulgence. While it’s tempting to dive in immediately, allowing them to cool slightly will ensure a perfect texture. Prepare to be amazed by their melt-in-your-mouth quality and intense chocolate flavor.

How to Serve Brownies

• Brownie Sundae: Top a warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzle with hot fudge sauce, and add a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with nuts or sprinkles for extra texture.
• Ice Cream Sandwich: Slice brownies into halves and sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between them. Freeze for a few hours before serving.
• Shapes and Cutouts: Use cookie cutters to cut brownies into fun shapes like hearts, stars, or holiday-themed figures. Decorate with icing for an extra festive touch.

How to Store: Store cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the fridge for 4-6 days.

Printable Recipe Card

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