These Quick and Easy Brownies are truly like a box mix brownie, but from scratch! They are so chocolatey, moist and delicious!
I have been searching for a box-mix-like brownie for some time now. I have a couple really great brownies on the blog already – a fudgy one, one that’s kind of cakey and fudgy – and now this one! I would say this is more of a cakey brownie, which I love!
Basic brownies may seem kind of unexciting, but don’t be fooled. These are anything but! Everyone needs a good, solid brownie in their recipe arsenal and this is the one! Sometimes I really just love a delicious brownie, uninterrupted in flavor by all the add-ins.
I mentioned on Tuesday that my parents were in town for the weekend. It’s such a good thing, because I made a couple rounds of brownies and someone had to help me eat them all!
I totally get my sweet tooth from my dad. I still remember him eating cookies for breakfast when I was a kid. He’s gotten some better eating habits since then, but we both still have the massive sweet tooth.
He agreed with me that these brownies were the best, hands down. Our kind of brownie. Neither of us could keep our hands out of them.
And these brownies are no fuss! There’s no heating things on a stove, microwaving and mixing until butter and sugar reaches a certain temperature, no guess work – just easy and delicious! Perfect for when you want to whip up a quick batch and devour them before anyone even knows they existed. 
They are quite dark in color in the pictures because I use dark chocolate cocoa in most of my baking. If you’ve never tried it, I really encourage you to. I don’t normally prefer dark chocolate when eating a candy bar, but in baking it makes a much more chocolatey final product. In most cases of course. These brownies being one of them.
I’m sure they’d taste great with regular cocoa. But if you’re willing, give the dark a try.
Either way though, you’ll want to make these ASAP. They are perfect for the chocolate craving you regularly have.
Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe modified from AllRecipes.com
Enjoy!
This post linked to Six Sisters Stuff, Living Well Spending Less, Lambert’s Lately, Love Bakes Good Cakes, Tidy Mom, Yummy Healthy Easy, Inside BruCrew Life, Pint Sized Baker, Chef in Training, Mandy’s Recipe Box, Simply Gloria, Thirty Handmade Days, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, This Gal Cooks, What’s Cooking Love?, Shaken Together
You might also like:
Hi, I'm Lindsay! I'm a wife and puppy mom with a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the sugar!
OMG these are fab! I LOVE the dark cocoa in brownies. And that top – gorgeous. Now I want brownies!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Mom’s Banana Bread
Thank you Dorothy! I already want to make these again – I shouldn’t have given them all away.
We are in Nz, the brownies were just like the ones you get in countdown, sweet and moist, even better and when the kids drive you mad you go in the room and scoff the whole lot down and feel ready to take on the world, and the kids!❤️Love them & thanks tons
I want to use a 9X13 pan.how do i convert the ingredients ?
I’d probably double it.
You had me at “like box mix”! Everyone needs a good box-mix-esque brownie recipe in their tool-kit. I can’t wait to try these out!
What do you mean about dark cocoa? I know the difference between Dutch-processed and American but I’m not sure I know how to identify a dark variety. Help! I want dark, chocolatey brownies too!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking recently posted…Reeseâs Peanut Butter Blondies
I totally agree!
The dark cocoa I use is by Hershey’s – it’s their Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate. I can get it in grocery stores around here usually. I’ve seen in at WalMart too.
I had no idea that Hershey’s made two types! I’ll have to keep an eye out for the special dark and do a taste test! Bring on the dark chocolate!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking recently posted…Roast Beef Swiss Melt
For all the amazing brownie picture on FG I almost never click on them…but with yours I couldn’t resist! Will be making these tonight…they look so amazing!!
What a compliment! Thank you Bonnie!
I hope you enjoyed them!
I love brownies and I can’t wait to try these as well as the “moist and chewy brownies”! I found your blog via Living Well Spending Less Link Party! Thanks for sharing!
Nichole @BudgetLovingMilitaryWife recently posted…Frugal Meal Friday: Southwest Black Bean Casserole
Thanks Nichole! I hope you like them!
I definitely agree that sometimes it’s nice to just have a no-nonsense brownie recipe without all the crazy add ins. I love that you used dark chocolate cocoa powder–I bet it makes the chocolatey flavor even more intense! I’ll have to see if I can find some.
Rebecca @ Dorm Room Baker recently posted…Apple Butternut Squash Soup
Thanks Rebecca!
These look amazing. The crust on top is perfect and they look so dark and moist and fudgy! Mmmmm
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} recently posted…What’s in My Bag Baby!?
Thanks Heather!
I love how perfectly cracked these brownies are, that means they are especially fudgy-just how I like them!
Tanya Schroeder recently posted…Irish Cream Brownies
Thanks Tanya! I love the tops too
I used to make homemade brownies but haven’t done so in a long time. Yours look amazing!
Tonia recently posted…Funfetti Ooey Gooey Bars
Thanks Tonia!
We must come from the same family because I have a crazy sweet tooth and brownies are one of my very favorite desserts! When I want something sweet, I crave a brownie. These look absolutely perfect. Easy recipe and amazing brownies. I am totally making these. I’ll have to try the dark cocoa too. Thanks for sharing on Saturday Night Fever. I can’t wait to try these! Pinned, of course! See you again this Saturday!
Jen @ YummyHealthyEasy recently posted…Easy Pesto Pita Bread Pizzas
Thanks so much Jen!
Hi! I tried the quick and easy brownies. Though they are delicious, they definitely turned out to be more cakey than fudgy. I was hoping to get my brownies fudgier than they are cakey. I followed the recipe here. However, my oven can only reach up to 250 degrees. Is the temp a factor that I need to consider if I want to get my brownies fudgy? Please help. Do you have any suggestions? I am really craving for awesome brownies right now! Haha >.< thanks as always!
They are more of a cakey brownie. If you want a truly fudgy brownie, this recipe is perfect! Just leave off the butterfinger topping, if you don’t want it.
Thanks so much for the advise! And I will definitely try this with the butterfinger crust! Your recipes are just pure genius! Hoping to learn more and more from you. Thanks as always and God bless!
Thank you so much Jaemie!
Enjoy them!
What kind of dark cocoa powder do you use?
I’ve tried using ruddy reds darker 32% cocoa but it never seemed to work for me. Any suggestions?
I pretty much always use Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa. I don’t normally prefer dark chocolate, but in baking it seems to give better chocolate flavor.
Oh my gosh! These brownies are so easy and so incredibly good! My family is raving about them! Thank you for this post. This will be my go-to brownie recipe forever!
Yay!! I’m do glad you love them! We did too
I am in love with this so good!!!! The only thing was I didn’t add Bonilla extract but it was still a heavenly tasting brownie
I’m so glad you enjoyed them JJ!
I only have a 13x9x2 pan at my house how do I change the recipe for this? Please Help!!
You’ll just need to double the recipe. It should work great!
I will bake this tomorrow!!! So happy found ur web lindsay. I cant fond hershey dark choco in malaysia
is it if i replace oil with butter? Tq
I haven’t tried replacing the oil with butter and am not sure how it’d turn out. Something I’d like to test as well.
Can i use butter instead of oil?? Awesome recipe btw♡♥♡♥
I don’t know, I haven’t tried it. I’ve been wanting to though. I thick it would change it a bit, I’m just not sure how much. Thanks!
These brownies are so yummy… i just made them and the are gooey and chewy and awesome….and cheap because they dont need all that 70%chocolate…this is my new go to brownie recipie now … thank you so much for this awesome recipie… you are great..
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe…I’m so glad I decided to give it a whirl…they were absolutely delicious….I will never buy box mix again!
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Thank you! The brownies were amazing! Your ideas are certainly the best. Thanks again!
Wow, these brownies look absolutely PERFECT! I love the beautiful tops and how dark they are! They look super chocolatey and just amazing. Need to try this recipe ASAP!
Made these brownies tonight and they were fantastic! I added coconut oil instead of vegetable oil and they turned out divine, even if i did add a TBSP +1/2 of vanilla on accident! The crispy top and the soft gooey center was to die for, snuck quite a few “tastes” before serving.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Tasha! Good to know that the coconut oil works well too – thanks for letting me know!
Looking forward to making these!
Also, can the sugar amount be reduced? or can apple sauce be used for some of the sugar substitute?
Thanks!
I would think that should be ok, but I haven’t tried it.
These were fabulous!!!!!! I used walnut oil since that was all I had. Yummy and perfect.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Kimberley!
Hi! Can I substitute 3/4 Cup butter instead of vegetable oil? If yes, it should be melted or not necessary? Thanks!
I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure. Sometimes substitutions like that work and sometimes they don’t.
I tried it will melted butter, room temperature! It turned out great! Is there a way for reduced sugar?
Excellent and easy recipe, although mine needed almost 20 more minutes baking time. Delicious!
I love Hershey special dark anything, and i love brownies. Trying these tonight! Can’t wait!
Great! I hope you enjoyed them!
Thanks for a great, yummy and easy recipe.
I made them last night and added two teaspoons of white yoghurt – absolutely scrumptious
Awesome! So glad you liked them!
I just made these and they’re delicous! I used a 13×9 baking pan and used slightly less sugar because I didn’t have enough. Came out delicious
Just made these. Didn’t have vegetable oil so I subbed with coconut oil. Had to just about double my cooking time for the toothpick to come out dry but they smell amazing. Just waiting for them to cool and we will have them after dinner tonight.
What can i replace egg with since i’m a vegetarian
I haven’t tried it, but have read that you can replace an egg with 1/4 cup applesauce. It’d be worth a try.
Made these last night, but used coconut oil instead of veg. YUM!!
First time I have made brownies not from a mix in a very long time, so easy and so good!! Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I’ll have to try the coconut oil!
Hi. This is going to sound weird, but I save every little bit of cocoa powder that I have! (I am making little chocolate cakes for boxing day dessert.) Do you think I could use something else to substitute it? Grated chocolate maybe? Thanks, Liv ♥
You might be able to use melted chocolate chips, but I wouldn’t know how to advise you.
After trying and loving your vanilla cupcake recipe, I had to come back for more. I already had high exoactations and these brownies far surpassed them. I will never resort to a box mix again. Thank you so much for sharing!
That’s great! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed them!
Hello from Jakarta – Indonesia!
:-*
I just wanna say thank you soo much for this super easy, super yummy, and super quick brownie recipe of yours! I have tested some recipes for brownies (coz my 3 princesses are brownies lovers), and yours is the best! Love it love it! Thank youuuu….. PS: I just slightly changed a bit of this recipe, I mixed the white sugar + palm sugar with the same amount.
Hi Maya! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
I am assuming this recipe calls for plain flour and not self-rising? Thanks – they sound delicious!
Yes, regular all-purpose flour.
Omgoodness, I made these instead of box (its tradition to have brownies instead of cake for my fiance’s birthday :)) and they were SO GREAT!!! Very happy that I found this site and recipe. I can’t believe I had all the ingredients bit so happy I did!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!!
I tried my hand at brownies for the first time using your recipe and the outcome was delicious.
Your measurements were spot on and I allowed the batter to bake for 25 minutes.
This really is quick and easy brownies.
Thanks.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks Lonique!
Can you omit the baking powder?
I haven’t tried it, but wouldn’t recommend it.
I just pulled these from the oven and I can’t wait to see what my family thinks! They smell lovely and I just added a couple chocolate chips ( Dark chocolate of course) on top. Thanks for the lovely recipe!
Is it plain/all purpose flour that is used rather than self raising flour? Thanks
It is regular all purpose flour.
made these today.
here are the changes i made.
I used only 1 cup sugar, and a half cup oil
Because the oil was reduced, the mixture was stiff.
I added 1/4 cup water and the mixture poured out perfect!
It did result in a cake type brownie but we like them like that.
I also added about 1/4 cup of dark brown chocolate chips.
I saved and sent this recipe to my sisters.
thank you
Amy
Great! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
This recipe came out great. I have a shameful preference for boxed brownies over homemade but I do not like all the chemicals that come with it, so this recipe is an excellent find! Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Nichole!
Thanks for the yummy recipe! Just popped a batch in the oven (added some cacao chips) and can’t wait to try! (:
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
If i were to use only 1 cup of sugar will it change the texture or something? I want to reduce the sweetness because i plan to put a layer of caramel in the middle of the brownie.
I haven’t tried it, but I think it’d be fine.