Description
This easy one bowl fudgy cocoa brownies recipe delivers rich, moist brownies with a deep chocolate flavor, perfect for any dessert craving. Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep, these brownies bake up gooey and delicious, easily customizable with your favorite add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, or oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably dutch processed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 1/2 cup favorite add-ins (chopped dark chocolate, chocolate chips, or walnuts)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8x8 inch square pan or a 9x5 loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper or foil, then set aside.
- Melt Butter and Mix Sugar and Cocoa: In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, add the butter and microwave for 1 minute or until completely melted. Add the sugar and cocoa powder and whisk vigorously for at least one minute until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and whisk for at least one more minute until the batter is shiny and well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour and salt until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the brownies tender.
- Fold in Add-Ins: Optional: fold in 1/2 cup of nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, or any desired add-ins evenly into the batter.
- Bake the Brownies: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the center is slightly set but still fudgy. Avoid over-baking to prevent dryness.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Cut into 16 small pieces or 9 larger pieces depending on preference.
Notes
- For extra gooey brownies, add 1 tablespoon of oil of choice with the butter.
- Boost the chocolate flavor by adding 1 teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder.
- This recipe doubles well in a 9x13 or 9x9 pan with an additional 5-7 minutes baking time; adjust servings accordingly.
- Sugar amount can be adjusted between 3/4 cup to 1 1/4 cup based on sweetness preference.
- Be careful not to over-bake; baking 20-25 minutes max ensures fudgy texture.
- The serving size is based on cutting the brownies into 16 small squares.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (1/16th of batch)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
