Best Homemade Brownie Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Jul 25, 2023, Updated Feb 12, 2024

5 from 51 votes

51 Comments

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This is the best brownie recipe ever! These fudgy brownies are homemade from scratch and have a gorgeous crinkly top with a fugdy center. They’re easy to make with only 7 ingredients! Ditch the box and make these homemade brownies today.

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If you are looking for a gooey brownie with a fudgy texture, crinkly top and deep chocolate flavor, then you are in the right place. These classic homemade brownies are seriously the best brownies ever!

It’s no secret that brownies are my all-time favorite dessert. To say I am passionate about brownies is an understatement. Some would even go so far and say that I am a brownie connoisseur. To be declared the best, a brownie must meet the following criteria:

  1. It must have a rich chocolate flavor.
  2. Have a fudgy, not at all cakey, texture.
  3. Sport a, beautifully shiny, deliciously crisp top.

I have tested hundreds of brownie recipes in my adult life, and after much tweaking, I can confidently say this is the very best chocolate brownie recipe ever! It meets all the above criteria, plus it’s made with only 7 ingredients in 30 minutes. A total winner.

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Best Brownie Recipe: Ingredients and Substitutions

I always find it important to mention that a recipe is only as good as the ingredients used to make it. So let’s chat about the ingredients in this brownie recipe, as well as possible substitutions.

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  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil and gee all work well in this recipe.
  • Chopped chocolate. If you want to make the best brownies, then you need to choose a high-quality chocolate. Since the chocolate is melted the “form” of chocolate doesn’t matter. Use chocolate chips, chopped bars, discs, etc. The quality and cocoa content of your chocolate will affect the final outcome. I typically use Ghirardelli 60% dark chocolate chips.
  • Granulated sugar.Any granulated sugar works well in this brownie recipe. I use organic cane sugar.
  • Cocoa powder.regular unsweetened cocoa powder is the best choice for these fudgy brownies. You can use extra dark cocoa powder for an even more intense chocolate flavor.
  • All-purpose flour.For a gluten-free version, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all purpose flour blend.
  • Sea Salt.I recommend using pure fine sea salt in baking and cooking. If you use iodized table salt decrease the amount of salt by half.
  • Eggs.I have not tried using egg substitute. If you do and it works well for you please let me know in the comments below.
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How to Make Brownies

The process used to make homemade brownies is just as important to the final outcome as the ingredients. For that perfect shiny crinkly top with a fudgy center, it’s very important to follow the steps listed in this recipe. Don’t forget to watch the video too.

Melt Chocolate & Butter

The first step in making this brownie recipe is to melt the butter and chocolate together either in the microwave, or on the stovetop over low heat.

Then, set the melted butter/chocolate mixture aside to cool slightly.

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Tip: Beat the eggs & sugar well

Beating the ingredients is absolutely critical to achieving the coveted shiny, crinkly top on these chocolate brownies.

You can use a hand mixer or a standing mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment (my preference).

Begin by combining the flour, cocoa powder and salt in a small bowl, set it aside.

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Then, beat the eggs alone for 60 seconds until they are pale yellow.

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Once the eggs are pale yellow, add the granulated sugar and beat for an additional 60 seconds. Beat until the sugar is dissolved, the mixture is has thickened and is pale in color.

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Next, add the vanilla and melted butter/chocolate mixture and beat again. This time, beat on medium speed until the ingredients are combined and the batter is uniform throughout.

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Then, add the dry ingredients to the brownie batter. If your flour or cocoa powder are particularly clumpy, you may want to sift them before adding them to the brownie recipe.

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Once the mixture is smooth, fold in the chocolate chips by hand. Adding chocolate chips is optional but recommended. You can also add walnuts or any other mix-ins you’d like to at this time.Or add instant coffee to make coffee brownies – yum!

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The batter should be thick (as pictured below) and not runny. The thickness of the batter is what makes these the best brownies ever, ultra fudgy with a beautiful shiny top.

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Bake & Cool

Spread the brownie batter evenly in a pan and bake. Be sure to test them at the beginning of the recommended baking time, you do not want over-baked brownies.

You get to decide when these brownies are done, and it varies depending onhow gooey you want them to be. For me, the perfect amount of gooeyness is achieved when the brownies are set on the top and around the edges, and they jiggle every-so-slightly when the pan is shaken.

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Let your homemade brownies cool in the baking pan for at least 15 minutes before cutting. You can eat them warm or at room temperature. However just be aware that the warmer they are, the more they will fall apart when cut.

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Frost (Optional)

Once the brownies are completely cooled, you can frost them. Here are some of our favorite frosting recipes:

  • Chocolate buttercream frosting
  • Chocolate Ganache
  • Peanut Butter Frosting
  • Homemade Vanilla Frosting
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
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Serve

I love serving these brownies warm with a scoop of ice cream (like this vanilla ice cream or homemade chocolate ice cream).

You can also add a dollop of homemade whipped cream, sprinkles, or a dusting of flaky sea salt.

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Store

To keep brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container. They will last at room temperature for 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freeze

I recommend wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or vacuum sealing them, then storing the wrapped brownies in an airtight container or plastic bag in the freezer.

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Brownies FAQs

Now I want to try to answer some of the frequently asked questions about making this homemade brownie recipe.

What makes brownies fudgy vs. cakey?

A cakey brownie usually has leavening agents and a higher flour : fat ratio. Fudgy brownies (like these flourless brownies) have a higher ratio of fat : dry ingredients and no leavening agents. The melted chocolate and butter in this brownie recipe make them insanely fudgy.

Why do my brownies get hard?

Brownies dry out if they are exposed to air or if they are over-baked.

How do you keep brownies soft after baking?

Keep brownies stored in an airtight container. You can also soften them by gently warming them in the microwave (for 15-30 seconds) or in an oven set to warm for 5 minutes.

How do you know when brownies are done?

This varies depending on justhow gooey you want these fudgy brownies to be. I think they’re best when the brownies are set on the top and around the edges, and they jiggle slightly when shaken.

What other brownie recipes can I make?

Salted Caramel brownies are to die for!
Try these peppermint brownies.
Peanut butter brownies are prefect for the chocolate peanut butter lover in your life.
These Flourless brownies are great for gluten-free eaters and they are Paleo-friendly.
Add zucchini and make the best fudgy zucchini brownies.
Greek Yogurt browniesare a healthier brownie option.
I have been making these Black bean browniesfor years now on repeat.
One of my favorites.
Fudgy paleo brownies are super healthy and out of this world delicious, just read the reviews.
This Microwave single-serve brownie is a healthy option if you need a brownie, like now.

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If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

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Best Homemade Brownie Recipe (21)

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Best Homemade Brownie Recipe (from Scratch)

Laura

This is the best brownie recipe ever! These fudgy brownies are homemade from scratch and have a gorgeous crinkly top with a gooey middle. They're easy to make with only 7 ingredients! Ditch the box and make these today.

5 from 51 votes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 brownies

Calories 165.6

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time25 minutes minutes

Total Time35 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, grease an 8×8” baking dish, set aside.

  • Mix flour, cocoa powder and sea salt together in a small bowl; set aside.

  • Melt chocolate and butter together in a microwave safe bowl, or on the stovetop over low heat. Stir until smooth and glossy. Set aside.

  • In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat eggs for 1 minute or until pale and thick.

  • Add sugar and beat for an additional 30-60 seconds, until sugar is dissolved.

  • Add melted chocolate/butter mixture and vanilla and stir on low speed until batter is smooth and hom*ogenous (uniform throughout).

  • Add dry ingredients, mix on low speed until just incorporated and there are no lumps.

  • Stir in chocolate chips or other mix-ins by hand.

  • Pour batter into prepared pan; bake until the top is set and the brownies are only very slightly “jiggly”, 25-30 minutes.**

  • Place brownie pan on a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

  • Cut into squares and serve.

Video

Notes

If you like very gooey brownies, bake for 20 minutes. If you like them firmer bake for 25-30 minutes. Remember all ovens bake differently so baking times can vary.

Doubling the recipe:

This brownie recipe doubles beautifully. Bake them in a 9×13″ pan. You may need to increase the baking time slightly, however I recommend checking it at 25 minutes to be sure they don’t over bake.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too, you may just need to adjust the amount of sea salt in the recipe. Coconut oil or ghee can also be used in this recipe for dairy-free versions.
  • Chopped chocolate. The form of the chocolate doesn’t matter too much. Chips, chopped bars, discs, etc. all work equally well because it’s being melted. However the quality and cocoa content of your chocolate will affect the final outcome.
  • Granulated sugar.Any granulated sugar works well in this brownie recipe. I use organic cane sugar.
  • Cocoa powder. You can use extra dark cocoa powder for an even more intense chocolate flavor.
  • All-purpose flour.For a gluten-free version, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all purpose flour blend.
  • Sea Salt.I recommend using pure fine sea salt in baking and cooking. If you use iodized table salt decrease the amount of salt by half.
  • Eggs.I have not tried using egg substitutes in this brownie recipe

Frost (Optional)

You can also frost the zucchini brownies before cutting once they are completely cooled. Here are some of our favorite frosting recipes:

  • Chocolate buttercream frosting
  • Chocolate Ganache
  • Peanut Butter Frosting
  • Homemade Vanilla Frosting

Store

To keep brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container. They will last at room temperature for 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freeze

I recommend wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or vacuum sealing them, then storing the wrapped brownies in an airtight container or plastic bag in the freezer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 165.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 20.1g | Protein: 1.9g | Fat: 9.6g | Saturated Fat: 5.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 38.7mg | Sodium: 84.2mg | Potassium: 61.8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15.2g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

More Delicious Brownie Recipes

Caramel Brownies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

Brownie Mix Recipe

Coffee Brownies

Best Homemade Brownie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes brownies cakey vs fudgy? ›

Fudgy brownies have a higher fat-to-flour ratio than cakey ones. So add more fat—in this case, butter and chocolate. A cakey batch has more flour and relies on baking powder for leavening. The amount of sugar and eggs does not change whether you're going fudgy or cakey.

How do you make brownies taste better? ›

Add a teaspoon of espresso powder, a handful of dark chocolate chips and teaspoon of vanilla to your batter. If you don't have espresso powder, and/or want to take it a step further, use lukewarm coffee as a replacement for the water usually called for in brownie packages.

How do you keep homemade brownies moist? ›

Airtight Containers

Use parchment paper to layer brownies into an airtight container for best results. Tip: When storing brownies in an airtight container, add a slice of bread in with them. The moisture from the bread will help keep your brownies fresh and soft for a couple more days.

What does adding an extra egg to brownie Mix do? ›

If you want to get a little more creative with your brownie mix hacks, add an extra egg to the batter. The extra protein will help thicken up the batter and make it fluffier, creating a more decadent, fudgy texture. You can also add the yolk by itself in addition to the 2 eggs a box brownie mix typically calls for.

Is butter or oil better for brownies? ›

In brownies, both butter and oil will offer a moist, tender texture, but only butter will give the dish the aeration needed for rising brownies well. If you use a cake brownie, butter is a better option because it helps rise the batter. For denser, fudge type brownies, oil is permissable.

What oil is best for brownies? ›

When baking brownies it's best to use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil with complimentary flavor profiles. Extra virgin products offer much better health benefits than ordinary oils. This is due to the high levels of antioxidants, including polyphenols, in extra virgin products.

Do brownies taste better if you use milk instead of water? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

How to doctor up boxed brownies? ›

Scope out your kitchen for add-ins.

Boxed brownies can be their own blank slate for just about any snacks, sweets, or baking scraps you've got in your pantry or fridge. Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand.

Why do you put brownies in the fridge after baking? ›

This will prevent your brownies from going stale and keep possible contaminants out. Brownies with perishable toppings or mix-ins like cream cheese should be refrigerated and stored in an airtight container.

Should you refrigerate brownies before cutting? ›

You can speed the cooling process by refrigerating the brownies in the pan, or by freezing them, but we think letting them cool at room temperature will give you the best results.

Why are my homemade brownies dry? ›

If your brownies are turning out dry, it's for one of two reasons - either you've overcooked the brownies or there is too much flour in your recipe. Overcooked brownies? You can tell the difference using the edges; if they are a little burnt-looking and very dry, it's likely that the brownies are overcooked.

Does letting brownie batter sit make it better? ›

It enhances the chocolate flavor, making it taste richer and adds an extra depth of flavor.

Can you over mix brownie batter? ›

Over mixing brownie leads to too much air incorporation and can leave your brownie looking and tasting like a chocolate cake. Under mixing will lead to insufficient combination of your core ingredients and so the brownie texture will not form to perfection.

Can you put too much butter in brownies? ›

Sadly, more butter is not always better. When too much fat is incorporated, brownies become extremely fudgy, in a seriously bad way. They're slick and greasy, two traits you never want to hear when you're talking about baking.

What causes cakey brownies? ›

Achieving a fudgy brownie is all to do with the ratio of fat to flour. A fudgy brownie recipe will use more fat than flour. Generally this is achieved by adding more butter or real chocolate to your brownie recipe. A cakey brownie recipe on the other hand will call for more flour in the ratio of fat to flour.

How to make brownie mix more cakey? ›

Cake-like brownies? Add an extra egg to your brownie batter to make more cake-like brownies. There are directions on the back of the box.

How to make box brownies chewy not cakey? ›

Try using one less egg than called for in the recipe. That will make it more chewy and less cake like.

How do you tell if brownies are fudgy or undercooked? ›

To test for doneness with a toothpick, insert a toothpick into the center of the brownies and pull it back out. For fudgy brownies, you'll want to see some moist crumbs attached to the toothpick when you pull it back out. If it looks like it's covered in brownie batter, the brownies will need to bake a bit longer.

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