Our Chocolate Brownies recipe is fudgy, quick, chewy, and easy to mix together in a bowl. Enjoy them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or with chocolate frosting on top.
Love have tons of bar recipes you will love, like Peanut Butter Bars, Rice Krispie Treats, Butterscotch Blondies, S’mores Bars, and Sugar Cookie Bars!
Why I love these brownies:
- Pantry Ingredients – I bet you already have everything you need to make these easy homemade brownies, made with cocoa powder. Just simple ingredients that come together for a delicious result.
- One Bowl – No mess to clean up, and easy enough for kids to make.
- Great Base Recipe– they’re thick, chewy, and delicious served warm from the oven or use them as a base recipe for Mint Brownies, German Chocolate Brownies or Peppermint Brownies. We love serving them with ice cream and hot fudge sauce on top, for hot fudge sundaes.
How to make Brownies:
Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix sugar and oil in a large bowl then add the eggs, mixing after each one is added. Stir in the cocoa powder until it’s well incorporated.
Add Dry Ingredients: Dump in the salt, flour, and vanilla then stir until combined.
Bake the easy chocolate brownies at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Although it will be tempting to cut right into them, I have found that they are best after they cool completely! Frost with homemade chocolate frosting, if you’d like.
Add chocolate frosting after the brownies have cooled, if desired.
Freezing Instructions:
Baked and cooled brownies freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or on the counter. Frosted brownies can also be frozen.
More Brownie Recipes:
- Halloween Brownies
- Banana Bread Brownies
- Mississippi Mud Brownies
- Peanut Butter Brownies
- Zucchini Brownies
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Recipe
Chocolate Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 1 cup oil*
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Frosting (optional):
- 1/2 cup butter , room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5-6 Tablespoons milk (or half and half, or cream)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix sugar and oil in a mixing bowl.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg is added. Add vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients: cocoa powder, salt, flour, and stir until combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into a greased 9×13'' baking pan and spread into an even layer. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
Chocolate Frosting:
- Cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add cocoa powder and salt and mix until well combined.
- Add vanilla. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, mixing well until you reach your desired frosting consistency. Spread frosting over cooled brownies.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe in April 2015. Updated January 2019 and March 2024.
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ive already done brownies with a peanutbutter graham cracker crust, my next one ima do regular graham cracker crust with marshmallow cream for frosting and toast it.
Excellent
These were a breeze to make and the whole family loved them!! I debated about the frosting because I didn’t want to dig out my mixer, but I’m glad I did! What an easy and delicious recipe!! Thank you!
Both the 1x and the 2x says 9×13 pan. Can you verify that?
We are working on getting that fixd! Thanks for bringing it to our attention. If you double or triple you will need to use additional pans!
They were so easy to make, Taste great!
I made these for a barbecue and they were delicious! Everyone just loved them. I would definitely always frost these because the top forms kind of crust on the top. The frosting hides any cracks in the crust. Also, the frosting is just too good. Make the frosting!
Oh wow! These are super! From the second I saw the recipe, I knew it was going to be perfect. I tried a lot of brownies but the best recipe made everybody sick, 🤢. This is great, not so greasy, not so puffy, just perfect! By the way, I have always been a fan of thick brownies so O added 1/2 tsp of baking powder, perfection!
Thanks!
I’ve never made brownies from scratch…and now I’ll never go back to boxed brownies! I did not frost them, but used powdered sugar instead!
Loved this recipe! Tried a lot of recipes and kept getting really bitter brownies, but this one was awesome! Only problem I had with it was that it was too sweet and not enough cocoa flavor, but that just might be my personal preference. Next time I make this, I would probably decrease the sugar and increase the cocoa powder. I added some chocolate chips to the batter and it came out so yummy!! Thank you!
Is it possible to substitute oil with butter???how much will be the quantity?? How long we can store it in fridge??
Yes, you can–butter will make them more cake-like in texture. I often do 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup oil.
Do you use a non stick pan or regular metal pan? If so do you use a lower temp for non stick?
Once again, a delicious recipe from you! I halved it (as didn’t have enough sugar), used a circular tin, and had to substitute almond extract for vanilla since the stores are out here. Very good!! These are dangerous; I just want to eat the whole lot!! Thanks for the super easy and tasty recipe!
I’ve been looking for a sweeter brownie recipe for years. One that I could make from scratch and not have to buy with other weird ingredients in it. I’m not a huge chocolate lover (milk chocolate is as chocolate as I tend to go), but these brownies are the best. Even for the barely chocolate tolerant. I did a dance of happiness when I made them and tasted them. So good!
I am a terrible brownie maker! I have tried all the boxed mixes and several scratch recipes and have failed them all. I decided to try one more time with this recipe and they were delicious!! I share even say they were perfect!!!
My favorite brownie recipe.
Delicious. I will probably not buy boxed brownie mixes anymore, as this is so easy and delicious! Printed the recipe today
I’m happy to hear it! Thanks Lizzie!
I made these on a whim last night to enjoy with some ice cream. I couldn’t believe how easy they were and they came out perfect!
We love to serve these in brownie sundaes! YUM! I’m so glad you liked them.
This is the best brownie recipe I’ve ever made! Next I want to try the mint brownies. You have a great talent of cooking and super glad you are sharing it! Thanks!
I’ve tried so many homemade brownie recipes and this one is my favorite! We made them without frosting and served with ice cream. YUM!
I tried this recipe and at the 35 minute mark my brownies were still jiggly and the toothpick came out wet. Cooked another 10 minutes and the middle still was raw but the edges of the brownie were cooked. Baked another 10 minutes (so now 55 minutes to bake) and the toothpick finally showed a few crumbs. I didn’t know since I live above 6,000 ft if elevation has a factor into this and need to add extra flour? Help please?
Hi Allison,
I would typically add 1-2 Tbs. of flour for your elevation! I’m sorry that it didn’t turn out well!
So at the 35 minute mark my brownies were still jiggly and raw inside (liquid covered the toothpick). Because I live above 6000 ft do I need to add more flour?
I would recommend adding 1-2 more Tbs. of flour!
For the frosting you said to cream the butter. I am a baking dummy so how much sugar do I use to cream the butter? The recipe calls for powdered sugar but the steps say to add that in later so I’m a little confused…
Hi Tammy, by “cream” the butter I just mean to beat it well with your mixers, until it’s light and creamy. Sorry for the confusion! I’d love to hear how you like the brownies!
These look incredible! I’m going to have to make this recipe soon!
It looks yummy. The instruction for the brownies says to melt the sugars well?? Did you mean mix the sugars well?
Sorry that should have said “melted butter”. Thanks 🙂
Your frosting looks so fluffy I am going to have to try the recipes this weekend.
Wow, those look delicious!! I’m home sick from work tonight and it’s cold and rainy out…I feel like those brownies are just what I need to brighten this night up a bit!! 😉
wow these look incredible!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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What great recipes! I may have to try the sugar cookie bars. Those are different. I’ve not encountered such a recipe before. My kids would much prefer I try one of the chocolate recipes though! 🙂
Every single thing about these looks SO good!! I am a sucker for chocolate 😉