Description
Why This Simple Brownie Recipe Works Every Time
What makes these simple brownies with rich chocolate flavor stand out from the crowd? It’s all about the carefully balanced ingredients that work together to create that perfect texture—slightly crispy on the edges, supremely fudgy in the middle, with an intense chocolate taste that doesn’t quit.
The secret lies in using both melted butter and high-quality cocoa powder. While many brownie recipes rely solely on melted chocolate, this approach gives you incredible control over the sweetness and creates a deeper, more concentrated chocolate flavor. The butter adds richness and helps create that coveted crackly top that every chocolate brownie enthusiast dreams about.
Another crucial element is the ratio of sugar to flour. These brownies use just enough flour to give them structure without making them cakey. The generous amount of sugar doesn’t just sweeten—it helps create that shiny, paper-thin crust on top and keeps the brownies moist for days after baking.
Ingredients
Simple Brownies Recipe: Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating simple brownies with rich chocolate flavor requires surprisingly few ingredients, and chances are you already have most of them in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Brownies:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup (90g) chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
- Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)
Instructions
Making simple brownies with rich chocolate flavor is remarkably straightforward. Even beginner bakers can achieve professional results by following these clear steps.
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Lightly grease the parchment to prevent any sticking.
Step 2: Melt the Butter In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in 20-second intervals, stirring between each burst. Let it cool slightly—you want it warm but not hot.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients Whisk the granulated sugar into the melted butter vigorously for at least 30 seconds until smooth and glossy. Add the vanilla extract and whisk again. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Beat the mixture for about 2 minutes—this vigorous whisking creates that beautiful crackly top.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Sifting eliminates lumps and ensures smooth brownies.
Step 5: Bring It Together Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula. Mix until just combined—no streaks of flour should remain, but avoid overmixing. The batter will be thick and glossy. Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The center should look slightly underdone.
Step 7: Cool Completely Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, then use the parchment paper to lift them onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing, about 1 hour.
After making countless batches of simple brownies with rich chocolate flavor, I’ve learned some tricks that guarantee success every single time.
Don’t Overbake: The number one mistake people make with brownies is baking them too long. They continue cooking as they cool. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
Use Quality Cocoa: Since cocoa powder is the star, quality matters. Dutch-process cocoa gives a deeper flavor, while natural cocoa provides a more intense taste.
Room Temperature Eggs: They incorporate more easily and create a smoother batter. Set them out about 30 minutes before baking.
Line Your Pan Properly: Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes removing brownies effortless.
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe for simple brownies with rich chocolate flavor, these variations add new dimensions while maintaining that fudgy perfection.
Salted Caramel Brownies: Swirl 3 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce into the batter before baking and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.
Espresso Brownies: Add 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor without making brownies taste like coffee.
Nutty Brownies: Fold in 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture.
Peppermint Brownies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.