I recently tried a Best Brownie Recipe that truly impressed me with its rich cocoa tone and balanced sweetness from granulated sugar and unsalted butter. Every bite brings a delightful mix of flavor thanks to the hint of vanilla extract and a careful blend of unsweetened cocoa and all-purpose flour.

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Walking into my kitchen, I realized that sometimes the simplest ingredients can make the best treats. I decided to try making cocoa powder brownies, a recipe that only uses pantry staples like 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Then comes 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder. This recipe reminded me of classic brownie mix recipes, but it’s completely homemade and way easier than you would think.

The brownies turn out amazingly moist and chewy, almost like that favorite boxed mix but with an extra homemade twist. In just 35 minutes I had a batch of delicious brownies that are perfect for when you’re craving a sweet fix.

I love these brownies for capturing the spirit of real homemade baking every time.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because:
1. I love how simple it is – I can whip it up with ingredients I already have at home.
2. I enjoy that it only takes about 35 minutes from start to finish, which is perfect for a quick treat.
3. I appreciate that the brownies turn out moist and chewy, reminding me of my favorite homemade desserts.
4. I like that it brings a nostalgic vibe since it tastes like the boxed mix I grew up with, but way better.

Pantry staples are all you need with this easy baking recipe from scratch. It’s crazy simple cause you probably already have most of the ingredients lying around. In just about 35 minutes you can have a batch of brownies that are super moist and chewy. They come out tasting like that boxed mix we used to get as kids, but honestly, they taste even better when you make them at home. Plus, its a hassle-free dessert that you can share with your friends or just treat yourself after a long day.

Ingredients

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Unsalted butter gives rich, creamy texture but also brings lots of fat that isn’t very healthy.
Granulated sugar makes the brownies sweet and adds moisture, though it’s just simple carbohydrates.
Eggs help bind the batter together and give a bit of protein, making it a bit less plain.
Cocoa powder offers deep chocolate flavor and a dark color, with some antioxidants too.
All-purpose flour builds the structure, binding everything together without much flavor on its own.

Ingredient Quantities

1/2 cup unsalted butter (or 1 stick)

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat then set it aside to cool slightly.

3. In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until its well mixed.

4. Stir in the melted butter slowly then add in the cocoa powder and keep stirring until you get a smooth mixture.

5. In a seperate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder and then gradually fold that into your wet mixture.

6. Be careful not to overmix the batter cause that can make your brownies tough.

7. Pour the batter into your prepared pan making sure its spread out evenly.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 to 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick inserted in the center; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs it means they are done.

9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares and enjoying your treat.

Equipment Needed

1. You need an oven set to 350°F to bake the brownies
2. An 8×8 inch baking pan or a piece of parchment paper to line your pan
3. A small saucepan to melt the butter
4. A large bowl to mix your wet ingredients
5. A separate bowl for whisking the dry ingredients
6. Measuring cups and spoons to get the ingredients just right
7. A whisk or hand mixer for beating the sugar, eggs and vanilla
8. A rubber spatula to help fold in the dry ingredients without overmixing
9. A toothpick to test if the brownies are done
10. A cooling rack or plate so you can let the brownies cool completely before cutting them into squares

FAQ

Q: Can I use substitutes for the butter in these brownies?

A: Yes you can totally replace it with margarine or even coconut oil, but it might change the flavor a little bit.

Q: How long should I bake these brownies?

A: Bake them at 350°F for about 20 to 25 minutes. Just test with a toothpick and if it comes out with a few moist crumbs then it's ready, not too dry.

Q: Can I add extras like nuts or chocolate chips?

A: Absolutely you can toss in your fav nuts or extra chocolate chips for an extra kick of flavor.

Q: Do I need any special pan for this recipe?

A: No special pan needed, an 8×8 inch baking pan works great so use what you got at home.

Q: Why do my brownies sometimes come out too cakey?

A: That usually happens if you over mix the batter or bake them too long, so be careful and keep an eye on them.

Cocoa Powder Brownies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Coconut oil can replace the unsalted butter. It gives a slight coconut flavor but works good in a pinch.
You can swap granulated sugar for brown sugar. It adds extra moisture and a deeper flavor but might make the brownies a bit fudgier.
Instead of eggs, try 1/4 cup applesauce per egg. It might give a softer texture and is great if you don’t have eggs handy.
If you’re out of vanilla extract, a drop or two of almond extract works fine. Just use a little less since it’s stronger.
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a store-bought gluten free blend, though you might have to tweak the liquid a bit for the right consistency.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you let the melted butter cool a bit before mixing it into the eggs and sugar so you dont accidentally cook the eggs, which can make your brownies turn out weird.
2. When you combine the dry ingredients with the wet ones, stir real gently so you dont overmix it; overdoing it will cause your brownies to get tough instead of staying fudgy.
3. Keep a close eye on the baking time and use a toothpick test near the end because ovens can run hot or cold and you dont want your brownies to dry out.
4. For an extra moist texture, try taking the brownies out of the oven right when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, theyll firm up as they cool in the pan.

Cocoa Powder Brownies Recipe

Recipe by Tina Bueller

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

223

kcal

Equipment: 1. You need an oven set to 350°F to bake the brownies
2. An 8×8 inch baking pan or a piece of parchment paper to line your pan
3. A small saucepan to melt the butter
4. A large bowl to mix your wet ingredients
5. A separate bowl for whisking the dry ingredients
6. Measuring cups and spoons to get the ingredients just right
7. A whisk or hand mixer for beating the sugar, eggs and vanilla
8. A rubber spatula to help fold in the dry ingredients without overmixing
9. A toothpick to test if the brownies are done
10. A cooling rack or plate so you can let the brownies cool completely before cutting them into squares

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter (or 1 stick)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat then set it aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until its well mixed.
Stir in the melted butter slowly then add in the cocoa powder and keep stirring until you get a smooth mixture.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder and then gradually fold that into your wet mixture.
Be careful not to overmix the batter cause that can make your brownies tough.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan making sure its spread out evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 to 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick inserted in the center; if it comes out with a few moist crumbs it means they are done.
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares and enjoying your treat.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.