If you’ve ever craved that blissful mix of fudgy center and shiny, crackly top, these Homemade Brownies are going to absolutely steal your heart. They come together with simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry right now, but the result is nothing short of bakery magic—chewy edges, gooey middles, and that deep, dreamy chocolate flavor. Whether you’re an experienced baker or brand new to brownies, this recipe is all about big chocolate payoff with minimal fuss. Get ready to make a batch that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds (and thirds!).
Ingredients You’ll Need
It never ceases to amaze me how such everyday ingredients can bake up into the irresistible magic of Homemade Brownies. Each element plays a key role in the texture, flavor, or look—from the richness of butter to the shine from eggs and sugar. Here’s how every component shines in this recipe:
- Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, melted): Brings rich flavor and fudgy texture—melting it gives brownies that decadent chew.
- Vegetable Oil (1 tablespoon): Just a touch adds extra moisture for maximum softness.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Provides sweetness and helps create that elusive glossy top.
- Large Eggs (2): Essential for structure and lending that luscious, brownie bite.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the chocolate with a warm, aromatic note.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/3 cup): Deeply chocolatey and the heart of that rich flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup): Just enough to hold everything together while keeping brownies tender.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Brings balance and intensifies chocolatey flavors.
- Baking Powder (1/4 teaspoon): Gives just the right amount of lift for a satisfying crumb.
- Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate (1/2 cup, optional): For bursts of molten chocolate in every bite—totally optional, but always delicious.
How to Make Homemade Brownies
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven
Start things off by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or give it a quick grease. This little move makes brownie removal a total breeze and means you’ll spend zero time scraping treats off the pan.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Fats and Sugar
In a medium bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter, vegetable oil, and sugar until you have a glossy, well-combined mixture. This step is what helps to create that classic shiny brownie crust everyone swoons over.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs and splash in the vanilla extract. Whisk again until the mixture is lightened in color and perfectly smooth. You’ll see it turn creamy and almost mousse-like—this is a secret to amazing Homemade Brownies!
Step 4: Sift and Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Now, sift in your unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder right into the wet mix. Gently fold (don’t whisk!) everything together just until you see no more streaks. The less you mix, the better your brownies’ texture will be.
Step 5: Stir in Chocolate Chips (Optional)
If you’re a fan of little pockets of rich chocolate, toss in the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate pieces. Fold gently to distribute them throughout the batter—it’s the best surprise in every bite.
Step 6: Bake the Brownies
Pour the luscious batter into your prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Pop it into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. For classic fudgy Homemade Brownies, check at the 20-minute mark—a toothpick poked in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let the brownies cool in the pan; this helps them set up and slice perfectly. Once they’re at room temperature, lift them out of the pan (thanks, parchment!), and cut into squares. Each piece is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
How to Serve Homemade Brownies
Garnishes
The right garnish can turn a humble square of brownies into pure dessert elegance. Dust your Homemade Brownies with powdered sugar, add a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce, or crown each piece with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a bit of crunch, try toasted nuts or chocolate shavings sprinkled on top.
Side Dishes
If you’re serving brownies at an event or for a special treat, pair them with tangy fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or creamy fruit sauces. The juicy acidity of raspberries or strawberries beautifully balances the richness of the brownies.
Creative Ways to Present
Homemade Brownies are made for fun presentations—stack them into a playful tower, wrap them individually for lunchbox treats, or slice into tiny squares and serve on a dessert board. For holidays, use cookie cutters for festive shapes or layer brownie pieces in a trifle with cream and fruit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Homemade Brownies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously moist and fudgy for up to four days—if they last that long!
Freezing
Want to make them in advance? Cut cooled brownies into squares, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer bag. They’ll freeze perfectly for up to three months, always ready to save your next chocolate emergency.
Reheating
For that just-baked flavor, microwave an individual brownie for 10 to 15 seconds. If you’re heating several, a few minutes in a 300°F oven will restore that blissfully gooey center.
FAQs
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, white chocolate chips, or even a peanut butter swirl can be folded into the batter for extra texture and flavor. Just keep total mix-ins to about 1/2 cup.
How do I get perfectly clean brownie slices?
Let your brownies cool completely before cutting, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between slices. For tidy squares, you can even chill the brownies for 30 minutes before slicing.
My brownies are too cakey—what went wrong?
Cakey brownies usually mean too much flour or overtaking. For dense, fudgy Homemade Brownies, measure flour carefully and avoid over-mixing the batter after adding dry ingredients.
Can I double this recipe?
You sure can! Just bake in a 9×13-inch pan and keep an eye on the baking time—expect them to take closer to 25–30 minutes. Check for moist crumbs on a toothpick to avoid dry brownies.
Do I have to include chocolate chips?
Nope! The chocolate chips are fun but optional. The brownies have plenty of rich flavor from the cocoa powder and butter on their own—but chips make for an extra decadent treat.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tasted the joy of truly good Homemade Brownies warm from your own oven, now is the time! This recipe is a chocolate lover’s dream and couldn’t be easier to whip up. Grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to the kind of dessert you’ll want to make on repeat—your friends and family will thank you.
Print
Homemade Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 brownies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of these homemade brownies. Easy to make and oh-so-delicious, these fudgy treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, oil, and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisk until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gently fold until combined. Stir in chocolate chips if using.
- Bake: Pour batter into the pan, spread evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Let cool in the pan before slicing into squares.
Notes
- For extra fudgy brownies, remove from the oven closer to the 20-minute mark.
- Add chopped nuts or a swirl of peanut butter for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
