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These Easy Chocolate Brownies are rich, fudgy, and made from scratch in just one bowl. With a crackly top and gooey center, they’re perfect for chocolate lovers and easy enough for beginners. Serve them warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy as a sweet snack anytime.
🕒 Prep Time & Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Cooling Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 9 large brownies or 16 small
- Skill Level: Easy
🔧 Equipment Needed
- Medium saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
- 8×8-inch square baking pan
- Whisk or mixing spoon
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- Knife or spatula for cutting
🧂 Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Butter: Unsalted is preferred; if using salted, reduce added salt slightly.
- Cocoa Powder: Use natural unsweetened cocoa for a deep chocolate flavor.
- Flour: Avoid overmixing once flour is added—this keeps brownies soft and fudgy.
- Add-ins: Chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, or swirls of peanut butter all work well.
👨🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Pan & Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
Step 2: Melt Butter & Mix
- In a medium saucepan (or microwave-safe bowl), melt butter. Remove from heat.
- Stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
- Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir just until combined—do not overmix.
- Fold in chocolate chips or nuts, if using.
Step 4: Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Cool in pan for 10–15 minutes before cutting into squares.
🧮 Nutrition Facts (Per brownie, based on 9 servings)
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Sugar: 19g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 95mg
💡 Tips
- For extra fudgy brownies, bake closer to 25 minutes and chill them before slicing.
- Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for easy removal.
- Don’t overbake! Slightly underbaking gives the perfect gooey center.
- Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking for a gourmet twist.
🔄 Variations
- Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies: Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter on top before baking and swirl with a knife.
- Espresso Brownies: Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder to enhance chocolate flavor.
- Mint Chocolate Brownies: Add a few drops of peppermint extract and top with Andes mints.
- Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter, egg replacer (like flax eggs), and dairy-free chocolate.
