Easy Homemade Brownies (2024)

Easy homemade dark chocolate brownies made with butter, cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips.

After discovering my son’s food allergy a few years ago, I really dove into baking. I tried many recipes to come up with the “best-of” this or that treat, but it took a while to get that perfect brownie recipe down.

I wanted something as easy as a box mix, with a consistent turnout, the perfect chocolate flavor, and not too gooey but not cake like either. If I had to compare these to a box mix, I would say they are similar to Ghiradelli’s Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix.

Easy recipe

These easy homemade fudgy brownies are the result from all my experimenting. They have become one of my kids most requested treats. Whenever I bring a batch of these brownies somewhere to share they never last long!

I don’t serve dessert every day, but on Fridays I always like to bake a sweet treat to celebrate the end of the school and work week. This recipe is simple enough that your kids can help. It is not complicated and requires just a few dishes, which to me is just right for a Friday or weekend treat.

Ingredients

Make homemade brownies with just a few basic kitchen staples you likely have in your pantry and fridge.

• Butter– One stick of unsalted butter melted and then cooled.
• Granulated Sugar– Precisely one cup. Too much and it will be too sweet, not enough and the brownies will not be sweet enough.
• Vanilla Extract– Adds flavor depth.
• Eggs– Two large eggs.
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• All-Purpose Flour - I prefer to bake with unbleached all-purpose flour.
• Cocoa Powder– I usually have Hershey’s or Nestle’s Cocoa Powder on hand.
• Dark Chocolate Chips– I really like using Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Chips in this recipe. They melt just the right amount.You can also use milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips. You want to use a chocolate chip that still tastes sweet.

How to make the perfect brownies

These chocolatey brownies are made in one-bowl and take less that 10 minutes to mix up.A simple brownie recipe that even beginner bakers can make.

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9" X 9" metal baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Melt butter on the stove-top or in the microwave in 20 second intervals. Set butter aside to slightly cool.
2. Whisk together melted butter, sugar and vanilla. Whisk in eggs, mixing until fully incorporated.
   • Tip: Be sure butter mixture is not too hot before whisking in the eggs, otherwise you risk cooking the eggs.
3. Add dry ingredients (baking soda, salt, cocoa powder and flour) to wet ingredients.Stir until incorporated into batter, avoid over stirring. Fold in chocolate chips to the brownie batter.
4. Batter will be thick. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes. Allow brownies to cool for 30 minutes before cutting into. Enjoy!

What kind of pan should I cook brownies in?

The type of pan that you use to bake the brownies actually does matter due to heat transfer and conductivity. Brownies should be baked in a metal pan. I prefer to use a dark pan coated with foil, a light colored baking pan is my second choice.

Brownies will bake nicely whether you choose to use a dark or light colored metal baking pan.

You should avoid making brownies in a ceramic or glass pan, as they are slower to conduct heat. It takes over three times as long for a glass pan to heat up compared to aluminum, although it will retain heat longer. This means that if you bake in glass cooking time will be longer which risks burnt edges.

How to tell when brownies are done?

The batter should be pulling away from the edges of the pan and the top of the brownies should be mostly set. A toothpick test may have some melted chocolate chips on itbut should not be covered in batter. Brownies will continue to set as they cool.

Storage & Serving

Serve brownies at room temperature or slightly warm. Pairs well with a glass of ice cold milk. Serve brownie a’ la mode with a scoop of Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream for a real treat.

Store brownies on the counter at room temperature covered tightly with foil or in an airtight container for up to three days. To preserve freshness of brownies, transfer to airtight container in the fridge. Brownies tend to dry out after several days of storage.

How to freeze brownies

Wrap brownies in aluminum foil or individually in plastic wrap and then place themin freezer safe tin or ziplocbag.

📖 Recipe

Recipe adapted from Something Swanky.

FAQ

Can I use a different size pan?

Yes, if you don't have a 9" square pan and 8" square pan will work. It may just need to bake for a few extra minutes.

How can I tell when the brownies are done?

Look at the edges, they should be pulling away from the pan. The top should be set and not jiggly. If you stick a toothpick in the batter, it might have melted chocolate chip on it, but should not be covered in batter.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, I have doubled and baked the brownies in a 9 X 13 metal pan. Cooking time will increase, I recommend doing the toothpick test to make sure they are fully cooked.

Can I leave out the chocolate chips?

No, this recipe will not turnout without the chocolate chips as they add to the texture of the final brownies.

I hope yall enjoy these homemade brownies. To me, there is just something that tastes better when you bake brownies from scratch. Maybe it’s the freshness and quality of the ingredients, or maybe it’s the time, effort and love that go into them.

Either way, I hope you family enjoys this simple brownie recipe!

Recipes you may also enjoy:

• 1886 Chocolate Buttermilk Cake
• Coconut Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Originally published in Aug 2022. Updated in Oct 2023 with additional FAQ and tips.