Description
Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies are the perfect treat for chocolate lovers. Made with simple pantry ingredients, these brownies are rich, moist, and packed with fudgy cocoa flavor. The recipe is quick to prepare, requiring just one bowl and minimal cleanup, making it ideal for an effortless dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter or oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably dutch processed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 1/2 cup favorite add-ins (chopped dark chocolate, chocolate chips, or walnuts)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease an 8x8 inch square pan or a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.
- Melt the butter and mix sugar and cocoa: In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt the butter by microwaving it for 1 minute until completely melted. Add sugar and cocoa powder, then whisk vigorously for at least one minute until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the bowl, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and whisk the batter for at least one minute until well combined and shiny.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Stir in the flour and salt until just fully combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
- Fold in add-ins: Optionally fold in 1/2 cup of nuts, chocolate chips, or other desired mix-ins for added texture and flavor.
- Bake the brownies: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the center is slightly set but not overbaked.
- Cool and cut: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting. For smaller brownies, cut into 16 squares; for larger portions, cut into 9 squares.
Notes
- For extra gooey brownies, add 1 tablespoon of oil along with the butter.
- For an espresso flavor boost, add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to the batter.
- The recipe doubles well in a 9x13 or 9x9 pan; increase baking time by 5-7 minutes. Adjust yield accordingly to 32 servings when doubled.
- Adjust sugar between 3/4 cup to 1 1/4 cup to suit your sweetness preference.
- Do not overbake; bake for no more than 20-25 minutes to keep brownies moist and fudgy rather than dry and cakey.
- The serving size given is per brownie when cut into 16 pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
