Easy Brownies From Scratch

Our easy homemade brownies are thick, have a perfectly fudgy middle, and are packed with rich chocolate flavor that makes each bite irresistible. Mixed up in one bowl with ingredients you likely already have on hand, they’re the perfect sweet treat to whip up whenever a chocolate craving strikes.

Simple Brownie Recipe You’ll Want On Repeat

I’ll be the first to admit that I used to be a boxed brownie enthusiast. The convenience, ease, and reliable results were hard to beat. Over the years, I experimented with countless homemade brownie recipes, but while many were decent, they simply couldn’t compete with those familiar boxed versions. Until these came along.

In 2018, I stumbled upon a homemade recipe that was genuinely outstanding. I immediately saved it, and over the past seven years, I’ve meticulously adjusted, tweaked, and perfected this easy brownie recipe into the chocolate masterpiece it is today.

Easy Brownies Recipe Ingredients

• Salted Butter. Butter provides a rich flavor, contributes to the fudgy texture, and helps give our treat a shiny crust on top.
• Granulated Sugar AND Brown Sugar. We’re using a combination of sugars for the perfect treat! Used to sweeten our brownies, and offset the bitterness of the cocoa powder. The brown sugar helps keep these moist and soft, while also imparting a richer flavor. The white sugar helps to give our treat a nice, shiny top.
• Neutral Oil. A bit of oil is used to help us get that perfect, fudgy texture. Canola oil or vegetable oil are my go-to options, but grapeseed oil would also work. If desired, you can use olive oil but that will add it’s flavor to your bake (which some people love).
• Large Eggs. Eggs have several roles in our brownies: they act as our leavening agent, they create structure, and add moisture. This in combination with our other ingredients help us to create that dense, moist, and fudgy texture that you’d expect in a good brownie.
• Vanilla Extract. Adds depth of flavor as well as enhances the chocolate flavor of our brownies.
• Salt. Used to enhance the other flavors.
• All-Purpose Flour. You standard all-purpose flour is perfect for making brownies because it gives your treat a nice structure without creating too much gluten, resulting in a fudgy, moist texture.
• Natural, Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. Cocoa powder adds the chocolate flavor to our dough. Natural cocoa powder is the most common type that is sometimes referred to as unsweetened cocoa powder or pure cocoa powder.
• Chocolate Chips. You can use any of your favorite chocolate chips in these soft and fudgy brownies! I personally love using a dark chocolate chip, but use what you have or what you love best.

See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for all ingredient measurements and recipe directions.

How to Make Easy Brownies From Scratch

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9 metal baking pan (and add a sheet of parchment paper into the greased pan if desired for easy removal), and set aside.

Add the melted butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and oil to a large mixing bowl.

Whisk to combine.

Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and salt to the bowl.

Whisking to break apart the egg yolks, and combine into the other ingredients.

Slowly add in the flour and cocoa powder.

Stirring until JUST combined.

Gently fold in the chocolate chips. The batter will be thick!

Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan.

Spread the batter to the edges of the pan, into an even layer.

Top with additional chocolate chips if desired.

Bake until the edges are set and the center isn’t jiggly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are ok).

Allow the brownies to rest in the pan for at least 30-minutes (they will continue to cook a bit and set as they sit). Slice and enjoy!

Easy Brownies Recipe Variations

Add nuts. If you love a little more texture in your brownies, stir in a ½ Cup of chopped walnuts, chopped pecans, or sliced almonds into your batter at the same time you fold in your chocolate chips.

Serving Suggestions

You can enjoy these brownies at room temperature or warmed up a bit, with or without a variety of toppings! To warm them up, simply microwave your brownie square for 5-10 seconds on a microwave-safe plate (or bowl).

My personal favorite way to serve these brownies is with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream! You can also add a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, serve these with some fresh berries, or simply enjoy them with a glass of milk. Bonus points if you use these to make brownie sundaes for an extra indulgent and fun dessert.

How to Store

Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Some people will wrap them AND store them in an airtight container in an effort to keep them away from the air, which can dry them out.

Easy Homemade Brownies FAQs

How long to let brownies cool? Let your brownies cool at least 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours, before you cut into them. This allows them to finish baking in the pan and set up, which results in the best texture for cutting and eating.

How to tell if brownies are done? The edges will look set (and may be pulling away from the pan a tiny bit), and the centers will be mostly set. Insert a toothpick into the center of the pan. If it comes out clean or with just a few, moist crumbs on it, they’re ready.

Do brownies need to be refrigerated? No, a typical brownie recipe (like ours) does not need to be refrigerated. If you’ve added any perishable ingredients (like a cream cheese frosting, or any fresh fruit), they should be stored in the fridge.