Best Homemade Brownies
The best brownie recipe! Made with cocoa powder and chocolate chips, these homemade brownies are fudgy, gooey, super chocolaty, and easy to make!
- Total time
- Unknown
- Active time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 16, 16 brownies
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Equipment
- 1 required
Ingredients and Constraints
Ingredients
Ingredient watchpoints1 watchpoint
Short requirements and tradeoffs to check while gathering ingredients; detailed source notes stay expandable.
Canola Oil
1/2 cup canola oil or extra-virgin olive oil**
The source ingredient row lists alternatives.
Details and source
Acceptable alternatives: Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Source: Best Homemade Brownies
Additional ingredient notes
Homemade Brownie Recipe Ingredients
Back to Michelle’s recipe for brownies!
In order for it to turn out like (aka better than) the boxed mix, Michelle uses granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, and chocolate chips. Then, she adds these key ingredients: 2 eggs + water – Michelle uses a bit of water with the eggs to achieve the moist, gooey texture of boxed mix brownies without any commercial emulsifiers.
Required setup
Equipment
(this is the one I use so they don't overcook)
Method Timeline
Prep
ActivePrep
5 min
Prep time from the source recipe card.
Cook
ActiveCook
45 min
Cook time from the source recipe card.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly spray an 8x8 baking dish (not a 9x9 dish or your brownies will overcook) with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, and salt.
Image detailsDry ingredients in a mixing bowlLove And Lemons · Best Homemade BrowniesDev reference Inputs and tools6
Uses
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder (sifted if lumpy)
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar*
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)
- 3/4 teaspoons sea salt
Step 3
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, water, and vanilla.
Step 4
Sprinkle the dry mix over the wet mix and stir until just combined.
Image detailsHomemade brownies batterLove And Lemons · Best Homemade BrowniesDev reference Visual cue
until just combined.
Checks1
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil just combined.
Expected state: until just combined.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: Best Homemade Brownies
Step 5
Pour the batter into the prepared pan (it'll be thick - that's ok) and use a spatula to smooth the top. Bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached (note: it's better to pull the brownies out early than to leave them in too long). Cool completely before slicing.*** Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. These also freeze well!
Image detailsPouring batter into a panLove And Lemons · Best Homemade BrowniesDev reference Visual cue
until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached (note: it's better to pull the brownies out early than to leave them in too long).
Checks3
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached (note: it's better to pull the brownies out early than to leave them in too long).
Expected state: until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached (note: it's better to pull the brownies out early than to leave them in too long).
TimingInfoTimingfor 40 to 48 minutes
Target: 40-48 minute
Expected state: Bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached (note: it's better to pull the brownies out early than to leave them in too long).
HoldingMain recipeSource holding instruction
Pour the batter into the prepared pan (it'll be thick - that's ok) and use a spatula to smooth the top. Bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached (note: it's better to pull the brownies out early than to leave them in too long). Cool completely before slicing.*** Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. These also freeze well!
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: Best Homemade Brownies
Handling and Storage
Reviewed hold, storage, make-ahead, and service-timing guidance.
How to Make Brownies from Scratch
First, mix together the dry and wet ingredients in two separate bowls.
Combine the sugar, flour, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and salt in a medium bowl. Then, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, and water in a large one.
Notes
*If you'd like to reduce the sugar, I've had success with 1 cup granulated sugar instead of 1 1/2 cups. **I like to use olive oil because it's what I keep on hand and I enjoy the pairing of olive oil with chocolate.
Keep in mind that you will taste it here. For a more neutral flavor, use canola oil. ***When these brownies come out of the oven, they'll be super gooey in the middle.
Learn More
Extra cooking notes, tests, and source details kept out of the step-by-step method.
Testing notes
Useful tests and side-by-side notes after the method is clear.
Best Brownie Recipe Tips
Better chocolate chips = better brownies.
In her book, Michelle writes that one of the biggest secrets to making great brownies is using large, good-quality chocolate chips. She recommends Ghiradelli’s 60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Chips, while I love Enjoy Life’s Dark Chocolate Morsels.
Recipe structure
Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.
Main recipe
Recipe card ingredients and steps.
16, 16 brownies
Batter
Source step 5 creates or uses batter.
Extra useful notes
Short source-backed recommendations and facts that do not need a step.
*If you'd like to reduce the sugar, I've had success with 1 cup granulated sugar instead of 1 1/2 cups.
*If you'd like to reduce the sugar, I've had success with 1 cup granulated sugar instead of 1 1/2 cups.
**I like to use olive oil because it's what I keep on hand and I enjoy the pairing of olive oil with chocolate.
**I like to use olive oil because it's what I keep on hand and I enjoy the pairing of olive oil with chocolate. Keep in mind that you will taste it here. For a more neutral flavor, use canola oil.
***When these brownies come out of the oven, they'll be super gooey in the middle.
***When these brownies come out of the oven, they'll be super gooey in the middle. Allow them to cool completely, about 2 hours, before you slice into them to give them a chance to set up. They'll continue to firm up the longer they're out of the oven. If you still prefer a firmer brownie, store them in the fridge.
Did you make the recipe? I want to see!
Did you make the recipe? I want to see!
Tag @loveandlemons on Instagram.
Tag @loveandlemons on Instagram.
rate this recipe (after making it)
rate this recipe (after making it)
rate this recipe (after making it)
rate this recipe (after making it)
Made these yesterday, they were delicious!
Made these yesterday, they were delicious! Husband and kids loved them. Used avocado oil and just 1 cup of sugar and increased to 1 cup of flour and 3/4 cup cocoa powder.
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Imported from the love-and-lemons page for dev review.
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Best Homemade Brownies
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