Description

This homemade brownie recipe delivers rich, fudgy brownies with a perfect balance of sweetness and deep chocolate flavor. Made with simple pantry ingredients, these brownies have a moist and tender crumb thanks to the combination of melted butter, cocoa powder, and a hint of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate. They’re quick to prepare and perfect for satisfying any chocolate craving.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter
2 cups granulated white sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips or chunks (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring the paper hangs over the edges for easy removal of the brownies later. Set aside.
Melt Butter and Mix with Sugar: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the salted butter by heating it in 30-second intervals until fully melted. Stir in the granulated sugar afterward, then microwave the mixture for an additional 1 minute and stir again to combine fully.
Combine Cocoa and Wet Ingredients: Transfer the butter and sugar mixture into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the unsweetened cocoa powder and optional instant espresso powder to enrich the chocolate flavor. Add the eggs, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
Add Flour and Chocolate Chips: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing. Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks for extra melty pockets of chocolate. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Optionally, sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top for a decorative finish.
Bake the Brownies: Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs — avoid overbaking to keep brownies fudgy and moist. It’s better to slightly underbake than overbake.
Cool and Serve: Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the dish, then slice them into 15 squares. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

For a deeper chocolate flavor, don’t skip the instant espresso powder, though it is optional.
Be careful not to overmix once you add flour to maintain the brownies’ tender texture.
Use parchment paper to make removing the brownies from the pan easy and to ensure clean edges.
Brownies are best eaten within 2 days but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
To keep brownies moist, avoid overbaking; check early especially if your oven runs hot.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: brownies, homemade brownies, chocolate brownies, fudgy brownies, easy brownie recipe, baking dessert