This homemade brownie recipe will change your life! No more box mixes, because these are seriously the best homemade brownies you’ll ever try. My whole family begs for them!
Are you guys ready for another of my deepest, darkest secrets?
In the past I’ve shared things like the fact that I’d never in my life eaten oatmeal (the horror!), I’ve blogged about how one time I drank salad dressing from a ziploc bag because…I don’t know why. I have shared some deep and disturbing things with you and here I am with another…
I generally prefer brownies that are made from a box mix.
Or, at least, I did.
Then I found the perfect homemade brownies recipe and now I’m obsessed.
These brownies are perfectly thick, chewy, and fudgy. If you like fudgy brownies, you’re going to love these.
Homemade brownies from scratch:
Yes, I am here to tell you that you can actually make the best brownies ever and they do not need to come from a box.
I’m all about the box mix, because it’s simple and easy and basically always delicious, but I have a thing for perfecting homemade treats and homemade brownies was obviously on that list.
These brownies from scratch are a little fussier than a box mix, but you’ll quickly see that they’re easy enough and you’ll be making these on the regular. Promise.
If you like your brownie recipe to be fudgy and super chocolaty, well, here you go.
Homemade brownie recipe step by step:
First, we’re going to melt some butter on the stove and add in a bit of sugar. We don’t want to caramelize the sugar – just melt it into the butter.
Add the hot butter mixture to a mixing bowl and let it cool for just a few minutes before adding the eggs.
Beat in the eggs and cocoa powder with a little vanilla.
This mixture is going to look divine, so go ahead and take a little lick if you must.
Next, add in your flour, baking powder, a little salt, and the secret weapon: espresso powder.
If you don’t have espresso powder, you can skip it. However, I highly recommend keeping some on hand for baking with chocolate. It doesn’t make your treats taste like coffee, it just enhances the rich chocolate flavor. Highly recommend. This is the brand I use, if you’d like to purchase on Amazon. (affiliate)
Mix that all together by hand and then stir in some chocolate chips. I like to use dark or semi-sweet, but my family prefers milk. Use whichever variety you like best.
Spread the brownie batter into a greased or parchment lined 9×13 baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes. The batter will be thick.
You want the edges to be firmly set and the center to still be a bit soft. I like to use a tester 1 inch from the edge – when the edges are fully cooked through, your center should be nicely fudgy and delicious.
Let these cool for as long as you can stand it before cutting.
I use my dusting wand (affiliate) to lightly sprinkle on some powdered sugar. It’s not necessary but it makes the brownies oh so pretty!
More brownie recipes to try:
Nutella Brownies: If you like extra fudgy brownies, try these!
Marshmallow Brownies: Wait til you see the layers on these brownies!
Reese’s Brownies: Brownie bottom + peanut butter frosting + chocolate fudge frosting + Reese’s!
Mississippi Mud Brownies: I love the marshmallows on here!
Recipe for easy homemade brownies:
Homemade Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13 baking dish.
- In small saucepan over low heat, melt butter completely. Stir in sugar and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not allow sugar mixture to boil.
- Pour butter mixture into a large bowl or stand mixer, and cool for 2 minutes. Beat in cocoa powder, eggs, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in the flour and chocolate chips until well combined.
- Spread into prepared pan (batter will be very thick and sticky) and bake for about 30 minutes, until a tester comes out mostly clean. The edges should be set and the center should still look slightly moist, but not uncooked. Cool on a wire rack.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This post was originally published in October of 2009. It was updated with new photos in May of 2019. Original photo below:
Tiyana Latham says
These brownies are phenomenal! I stand with the previous responders, “I will never bake boxed brownies again!”
Melody says
Love these brownies! I put m&m s on top add a little color
Alexa says
did you use unsweetened or sweetened cocoa powder?
Karly says
Unsweetened cocoa powder. Generally, in baking, you’ll always use unsweetened. 🙂
Caroline @ chocolate and carrots says
These are in the oven right now and smell AMAZING!
Sarah says
They were so good! Rich and fudgey…. And super easy to make! Will be saving this recipe for the future!
Rita says
Is it one cup of butter plus 2 sticks or is it one cup of butter, which is 2 sticks?
Karly says
It’s one cup of butter, which is the same as 2 sticks. 🙂
Rita says
Thanks!
NH says
My brownies turned out cakey and dry. Not sure how to get thr fudgy brownies out of this recipe?
Karly says
Hi there! Sorry these didn’t turn out how you had hoped. My guess is that you added a bit too much flour and overbaked them. When you measure flour, make sure to use a dry measure and spoon or scoop the flour into, then level it off. Don’t pack in the flour or you’ll end up with too much. You’ll also want to pull the brownies from the oven when just the edges are set. I use a toothpick about an inch from the edge and when it comes out clean, they’re done.
Susan says
Nothing beats making things from scratch!
I was wondering, if you use the Baking Bands on all of your baked items? If so, what kind & where do you buy them? Up until a few months ago, I wasn’t aware of them. Always wondered how Bakery’s had such nice cakes, etc. & mine always came out domed. Thank you!
Karly says
I don’t use baking bands. 🙂
larina says
Hi I got my baking bands from Amazon I got 4 bands for $9.99. Also my family owns bakery’s as far as the cakes not having domes we just cut the tops of the cake to make them level. Then with the leftover cake you can make crumbs. After frosting the cake you can pat the side’s of the cake with the crumbs.
Susan says
Could I use Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Chocolate Chips instead of the Semi – Sweet Chips? What kind of Cocoa Powder (Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Dutch Process, Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Ground Cocoa or Hershey’s?
Karly says
You can use any type of chocolate chips that you prefer. I’ve used both dutch process and natural cocoa powder and both work well here.
Mike Price says
Could I add peanut butter to this recipe without messing up the batter? If so, how much would you recommend? I am also wanting to replace 1 of the cups of chocolate chips with a 1 cup of peanut butter chips!
Karly says
I haven’t tried adding peanut butter to the batter, so I really can’t say. If you try it, let me know how it works out!
Barbara Atkinson says
You can use peanut butter chips!
Yianna says
I’ve used this recipe a bunch now and they have turned out delicious every time. My boyfriend and I are always amazed by how easy it is and how much better brownies taste hand made. Thanks for this amazing recipe!
Yianna says
5/5
Anonymous says
Didn’t add flour because it was *optional*, it turned out very fudge and flat. I used a Dutch cocoa powder. That is the only thing different I did. Do you have any clue why it turned out flat?
Karly says
You didn’t use the flour? The flour is definitely necessary – the espresso powder is what is listed as optional.
Amazed says
My god are you THAT stupid!
Sunny says
It actually does have the flour under optional! You shouldn’t call be stupid.
Karly says
Certainly no reason for name calling, but the flour is not listed under optional. It’s all on the same line as the espresso powder. If you adjust your font size, things might look differently on your end, but there is nothing I can do to control that. The flour is not optional though.
Gloria Vincent says
Tried to get Deviled Egg Dip, four times with no luck. Please add it to another posting. Thanks
Jeanne Seller says
These brownies are amazing, !made them about 4 hours ago and they are gone! Everyone has to taste to see if they tasted as good as they smelled…….they tasted better, as everyone had to come back for more. Now I need to go to the store for milk so that I can bake these again, hopefully this time the brownies will last longer than 4 hours! Another great recipe!!
Karly says
So glad they were a hit, Jeanne! 🙂
Jacqueline says
Hi there! The expresso powder I’m a bit hesitant on. I don’t drink coffee. Will that make a difference in taste? I don’t like coffee at all. Thank you!
ZP says
I never put the espresso powder in and still delicious!!
Jacqueline says
Ok thanks!
Annemarie Bronakoski says
Any thoughts on adding chopped walnuts? If yes can you recommend an amount? Plus could i substitute mini choc chips?
Karly says
I’m sure you could add in some chopped nuts, but I never have so it’s tough to say an amount – probably a cup or so. Using mini chips would be fine.
Jenna says
I love box mix brownies too, but your homemade brownies have a texture that you just can’t get with a box. Look at that crackly top but fudgy middle. So much yum!
Natalie says
WOW these brownies look so moist and chocolatey! Delicious!
Maggie Martin says
I still say, If it ain’t chocolate don’t eat it! Another winner from you Karly.
I have dipped broccoli in chocolate and ate it. and I love broccoli, but I love chocolate even more.
Gotta go and make a fast pan of these!
Thanks!
Maggie
Aleksandra says
they look amazing! can’t wait to try them!
Laura says
OK! YUM!!!! Brownies are my all time favorite and I can’t wait to make these!!!!
Kimberly Richardson says
Wow! Â These are delicious brownies! Â And so easy to make. Â Thank you!
Hannah Fiegelist says
I’m making these for a party of 20 people, do I need to double the recipe or are they big enough I can cut them smaller?
Karly says
Hi Hannah – this recipe makes a 9×13 pan, so you’ll have to decide how large/small you want to cut them. They’re fairly thick, if that helps.
Andrea says
Wow, that’s a LOT of cocoa powder! If I use Dutch processed Rodelle, can I use less? I’m going to try it, since I don’t think I have 1 1/4 cups left.
Karly says
I’ve never tried making them with less cocoa.
Leslie L says
Anyone use a cupcake pan instead? If so, what was your temp and baking time?
Josh says
Quick question, I’ve heard that refrigerating the brownie mix prior to baking yields fudgier brownies. Have you found this to be true? Amazing recipe by the way!
Karly says
Hi Josh! I’ve never heard of this or tried it. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Corrie says
This is been my go-to brownie recipe since you posted the original! I have shared it far and wide, thanks for this great recipe!Â
Karly says
Thanks, Corrie!
Jessica Lambert says
I used egg whites and it turned out so dry. I am super upset. I didn’t have real eggs but any one have advice on how to make them not like cake
Karly says
You’d need to use whole eggs next time. I’m not sure you’re able to save this batch.
Dani says
Are the chocolate chips optional too?
Karly says
Yep, you can skip them if you like.
amy says
these are so good, i left out the chocolate chips and used a really high quality dutch processed cocoa powder. perfect basic brownie recipe.
Karen says
Has anyone tried making a smaller pan? Â I’m thinking about halving the recipe and baking them in an 8×8 dish. Â Any thoughts? Â Thanks!
Karly says
That sounds like it would work fine to me. 🙂
Julie Neri says
I adore this recipe! They make delicious moist to die for brownies. I did not add the chocolate chips this time because I was out of them. Instead I added a tablespoon or so of Hershey’s syrup. Very good!
Karly says
Love to hear that! I bet they were great with the chocolate syrup!