homemade brownies

Name: Homemade Brownies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup chocolate chips; 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 3/4 cup light brown sugar, tightly packed; 4 eggs, room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup cocoa powder; Pinch espresso powder (optional); Pinch sea salt

May 28, 2023 by Addison LaBonte Jump To Recipe

These homemade brownies are gooey, chocolaty, rich and decadent! They are pure chocolate indulgence in every single bite. These brownies are much better than boxed brownies. They take only 35 minutes from start to finish. The result is dense, thick, ultra fudge-like brownies. They are every chocolate lover’s dream!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

These homemade brownies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
They are double chocolate.
These brownies are intense, rich, and satisfying.
This recipe is made with only pantry staple ingredients.
They are quick and easy to whip up in only 35 minutes.
They taste much better than boxed brownies.
They have slightly chewy crispy edges.
The center is gooey and fudge-like.
These brownies have a rich chocolate flavor.
They can be made gluten-free with gluten-free flour.
Check out these Oreo Brownies for another favorite dessert recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for homemade brownies. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.

Use unsalted butter. Then, melt. Stir together with the chocolate chips until fully melted and creamy.
Choose chocolate chips that you enjoy the flavor of. They contribute to the overall flavor in a big way. Feel free to use semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips. I do not recommend bittersweet or unsweetened chocolate.
Both white sugar and light brown sugar add the sweetness. In addition, the sugar helps produce the crackly shiny tops! For a refined sugar free option, check out these Paleo Brownies.
The eggs help bind the brownie batter together. In addition, the mixing of the eggs and sugar creates the shiny tops. Do not substitute for the eggs.
Vanilla extract adds warmth.
All-purpose flour thickens up the brownie batter. Feel free to use gluten-free 1 to 1 flour if needed. Do not use almond flour or coconut flour.
Cocoa powder adds even more chocolate! Use regular or dark cocoa powder.
Lastly, add in a pinch of sea salt. This balances out the sweetness of the chocolate well.
If desired, add in more chocolate chips, chopped chocolate bars, crushed Oreos, M&Ms, walnuts, or other add-ins to the batter. You can also top the baked brownies with salted caramel sauce!

Taste & Texture

These homemade brownies are ultra chocolaty and rich! They are perfectly sweet. These brownies have a decadent chocolate flavor. This is from the cocoa powder and melted chocolate.

These brownies have slightly chewy edges and a soft gooey center. The tops have a thin shiny crackly crust. These brownies have the best texture and flavor!

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

Step 3

Stir chocolate chips into melted butter, until completely creamy.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, add sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Whisk vigorously for 2 minutes, until light and frothy.

Step 5

Then, pour in the melted chocolate mixture. Stir until combined.

Step 6

Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and sea salt. Stir until a thick batter forms.

Step 7

Transfer the brownie batter to the lined pan. Smooth into an even layer.

Step 8

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only moist crumbs.

Step 9

Finally, remove from oven. Allow these homemade brownies to fully cool before slicing and serving.

Tips & Tricks for Success

For the best flavors and texture, follow this homemade brownies recipe exactly as written.
Fully mix melted butter with chocolate chips. This mixture needs to be smooth and creamy.
To get those beautiful shiny tops, be sure to mix eggs and sugars completely.
Vigorously whipping the eggs and sugars creates a meringue type crust on top of the brownies. This yields crackly top brownies.
Using too little sugar will prevent that shiny crackly crust on top.
Sift in flour and cocoa powder. This creates a smooth brownie batter.
Do not bake too long. It is better to under bake than over bake!
Insert a toothpick into the center of the homemade brownies. If it comes out with only moist crumbs, brownies are done.

How to Cut Brownies

To cut brownies perfectly, follow these easy steps.
First, allow the brownies to fully cool. Allow them to cool in the baking pan. This ensures that the brownies will firm up and hold their shape.
Use a very sharp knife without a serrated edge. A serrated knife creates uneven lines.
Before each cut, dip the knife in hot water. This cleans the knife before each cut. In addition, this prevents the brownie from sticking to the knife.
For very precise brownies, use a ruler.
Do not push down too hard. Place knife over where you intend to cut. Then gently press down.
Lastly, use a thin metal spatula to transfer brownies to the serving plate.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

Add in chocolate chips to the brownie batter.
Top with chocolate chips after baking. They become gooey and melty!
Add chopped chocolate bars to the batter. They will melt into pools of chocolate.
Add in white chocolate chips.
Make these Homemade Strawberry Brownies for a fun flavor!
Try adding in some walnuts.
Top with Buttercream Frosting.
Top with a drizzle of peanut butter.
For the ultimate dessert, top with hot fudge and whipped cream.
Check out these Homemade Brookies which combine cookies and brownies!

How to Serve & Store

These brownies from scratch go well with hot fudge, homemade salted caramel, ice cream or whipped cream!

For the ultimate dessert, warm up a brownie and serve with cold ice cream. The hot and cold sensation is amazing.

Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Freeze homemade brownies for up to 1 month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make brownies at home?

Making brownies at home is quick and easy! There are only a handful of pantry staple ingredients needed.

How do you keep brownies soft and moist?

To keep brownies soft and moist, avoid baking too long. Over baked brownies will cause them to dry out. In addition, do not over mix the brownie batter.

How do you make brownies not cakey?

To make fudge brownies, use melted chocolate and melted butter in the batter. This adds moisture to the brownies. Moreover, do not bake too long. Slightly under baked brownies are less cakey.

Is baking soda or baking powder better for brownies?

These homemade brownies are made without baking soda and without baking powder. They require no leaveners. This also keeps them more fudge-like!

What is the best pan for baking brownies?

Use a square metal pan for baking brownies. Metal pans conduct heat evenly. This yields evenly and equally cooked baked goods. Metal pans are better than glass pans for brownies.

How can you tell when brownies are done?

To test brownies, insert a toothpick into the brownies. If it comes out with only moist crumbs, brownies are done.

You May Also Enjoy

If you enjoy this homemade brownie recipe, please leave a rating and review! You can find more great recipes on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out these Brownies & Bars for more recipes!