Best Homemade Brownies Recipe
If you have ever craved a dessert that feels like a warm hug from the inside, then you absolutely need to try this Best Homemade Brownies Recipe. It’s the ultimate blend of rich chocolatey goodness and perfect fudgy texture, paired with a subtle crunch from dark chocolate chips and just the right touch of sweetness. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a cozy night in, or simply to satisfy a sudden brownie craving, this recipe will quickly become your go-to, treasured offering that everyone asks for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential, each playing a critical role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor, moisture, and texture that makes these brownies irresistible.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb with a slight crisp top.
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour: Provides structure without making the brownies cakey.
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder (sifted if lumpy): Brings a deep, rich chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy): Adds extra sweetness and a silky texture to the batter.
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips: Melt into gooey pockets of chocolate heaven throughout the brownies.
- 3/4 teaspoons sea salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances sweetness perfectly.
- 2 large eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture for that dense, fudgy texture.
- 1/2 cup canola oil or extra-virgin olive oil: Keeps the brownies moist and tender without overpowering the chocolate taste.
- 2 tablespoons water: Loosens the batter just enough for easy mixing and smooth results.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla: Adds a lovely aroma and rounds out the chocolate taste beautifully.
How to Make Best Homemade Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F and lightly spraying an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray. Then, line the dish with parchment paper, making sure to spray the parchment itself to prevent sticking. This ensures your brownies come out easily without any mess and cook evenly without drying out on the edges.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and combine the granulated sugar, flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, dark chocolate chips, and sea salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures the chocolate flavor is evenly distributed and the salt punctuates each bite just right.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, canola or olive oil, water, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy. This step creates a luscious base that lifts the texture from heavy and dense to satisfyingly fudgy with a delicate crumb.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Sprinkle the dry ingredient mix over the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined. It’s important not to overmix here because that can toughen the brownies—just enough to blend everything will keep them soft and decadent.
Step 5: Bake Until Perfect
Pour your thick batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 40 to 48 minutes, checking often after 40 minutes with a toothpick. You want it to come out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Remember, it’s always better to pull the brownies out slightly early rather than overbaking, because they finish setting as they cool.
How to Serve Best Homemade Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt will elevate your brownies immediately. For a more decadent twist, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle warm caramel sauce right before serving — these little extras turn a great dessert into a showstopper.
Side Dishes
Pair your brownies with fresh berries or a handful of nuts to add delightful contrast in texture and a refreshing balance of flavors. A cup of strong coffee or milk is also a timeless companion that complements the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your brownies into fun shapes using cookie cutters for parties or stack several layered with whipped cream and fruit for a playful brownie trifle. Wrapping individual squares in parchment and tying with a ribbon also makes a charming homemade gift anyone would treasure.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep them moist and fresh. Avoid refrigeration if possible, as that can dry them out and dull the rich chocolate flavor.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these brownies later, they freeze beautifully. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or container. They will maintain their wonderful fudgy texture for up to three months.
Reheating
To bring your brownies back to life after storage or freezing, warm them in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or pop them in a low oven for a few minutes. This helps revitalize their gooey softness and makes them taste freshly baked once again.
FAQs
Can I use butter instead of oil in this Best Homemade Brownies Recipe?
Yes, you can substitute butter for oil, but keep in mind that using oil tends to give brownies a moister texture, while butter can make them slightly denser and provide a richer flavor. If you do swap, melt the butter first for best mixing.
Why do my brownies sometimes turn out cakey instead of fudgy?
The key is using the right ratio of ingredients and not overmixing the batter. This recipe uses just enough flour and oil to keep them dense and fudgy rather than fluffy. Also, avoid overbaking since that dries brownies out and makes them cakey.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to this recipe?
Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or even dried fruit make excellent additions to add texture and flavor. Just fold them in with the dry ingredients in Step 2 for even distribution.
Is it necessary to sift the cocoa and powdered sugar?
Sifting helps break up any lumps, ensuring your batter is smooth and consistent with no clumps of dry powder. It’s especially helpful if your cocoa or powdered sugar tends to clump due to moisture.
How can I tell when my brownies are perfectly baked?
Check with a toothpick inserted near the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. The edges will look set and might pull slightly away from the pan, while the center should feel just firm when you gently press it.
Final Thoughts
This Best Homemade Brownies Recipe has all the magic of comfort food done right — rich, fudgy, and effortlessly delicious. Once you bake a batch, you’ll understand why it becomes an instant favorite in any household. So grab your ingredients and dive into making these brownies; I promise you’ll be rewarded with smiles and requests for more at every occasion.
Print
Best Homemade Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 50-58 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Description
These Best Homemade Brownies are a rich, fudgy treat made with cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips, baked to perfection in an 8×8 baking dish. With a balance of sweetness from granulated and powdered sugar, and a hint of salt, these brownies offer an indulgently moist texture, perfect for any dessert craving or special occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder (sifted if lumpy)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 teaspoons sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper and spray the parchment as well to ensure easy removal of the brownies after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, dark chocolate chips, and sea salt. If the cocoa powder or powdered sugar is lumpy, make sure to sift them first to avoid clumps.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, canola or olive oil, water, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Combine mixtures: Sprinkle the dry ingredient mixture over the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix as this can make the brownies tough. The batter will be thick and fudgy.
- Pour into pan and bake: Pour the thick batter into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to evenly smooth the top. Bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking to keep the brownies moist and fudgy.
- Cool and store: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Using an 8×8 inch baking dish is critical; a larger dish will cause the brownies to overcook and become dry.
- Sifting cocoa powder and powdered sugar helps prevent lumps for a smoother batter.
- It is better to slightly underbake than overbake to maintain a fudgy texture.
- Brownies can be stored at room temperature or frozen for extended freshness.
- You can substitute canola oil with extra-virgin olive oil for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-48 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
