Easy Homemade Brownies From Scratch

This Easy Homemade Brownies Recipe makes cakey brownies that taste like box mix brownies! With perfect crisp crackly tops and chewy centers, these made from scratch brownies hit all the right notes.

Stack of brownies on a cake stand

Just Like Box-Mix Homemade Brownies

For some time I’ve been searching for a way to make brownies from scratch without losing that brownie mix feel. It took a lot of brownie making and a whole lot of brownie testing (someone had to do it!), but I think I finally found it: a simple brownie recipe that tastes like “box mix” brownies but is actually made totally from scratch. These homemade brownies have just the right combo of cakey and chewy texture, plus they have that classic “crack” on the top.

Basic brownies may seem kind of unexciting, but don’t be fooled. These are anything but! Everyone needs a good, solid brownie recipe in their arsenal and this is the one!

Stack of brownies with parchment paper

Recipe Ingredients

This brownie recipe has simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Vegetable Oil – Just like a box mix brownie, we are going to use oil instead of butter.
  • Sugar – I use regular white sugar in this recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract – Be sure to use pure vanilla extract.
  • Eggs
  • Flour + Baking Powder
  • Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder – I recommend using dark chocolate cocoa powder. I use dark chocolate cocoa in most of my baking. In baking it makes a much more chocolatey final product. I’m sure they’d taste great with regular cocoa. But if you’re willing, give the dark a try.
  • Salt – Adding a bit of salt to desserts brings out their sweetness.

The top of a stack of brownies

How to Make Brownies from Scratch

These brownies are no fuss! Here’s how to make them:

  • Prep your tools: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×9 square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
  • Mix wet ingredients: Mix together the oil, sugar and vanilla extract. Add eggs and mix until well combined.
  • Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
  • Add dry ingredients: Slowly add to the egg mixture until well combined.
  • Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.

That’s it! Making these brownies from scratch is just as easy as using a box mix. 🙂

Homemade brownies on a plate

Tips for the Best Brownies

  • Use dark chocolate cocoa powder. As I mentioned above, I think dark chocolate cocoa really takes the chocolate in brownies to the next level.
  • Don’t over bake. It’s better to pull your brownies out too early than bake them for too long. Bake them until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached. If you’re unsure, just go ahead and take them out of the oven. They will still cook a bit as they cool.
  • Let them cool. These brownies are seriously good, but give them a chance to cool so that you can get that cakey, chewy texture. Plus, they will be easier to slice if you let them cool.

Stack of homemade brownies

How to Store Brownies

You can store your homemade brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for 4-5 days.

Can I Freeze Brownies?

Yes! You can freeze brownies for up to 2 months. Let them come to room temperature, then wrap each brownie in saran wrap or foil and place them in an airtight freezer safe container.


Read transcript

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Easy Homemade Brownies stacked
Recipe

Quick and Easy Brownies

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 Brownies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This easy homemade brownies recipe makes cakey brownies that taste like box mix brownies! With perfect crisp crackly tops and chewy centers, these brownies hit all the right notes.


Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (98g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (57g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×9 square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving some over hanging on the sides for easy removal from the pan later.
  2. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt to a medium sized bowl and set aside.
  3. Add the oil, sugar and vanilla extract to large mixing bowl and mix together until well combined.
  4. Add the eggs and mix until well combined.
  5. Add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined, but don’t over mix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.

Notes

Recipe modified from AllRecipes.com

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Brownie
  • Calories: 203
  • Sugar: 18.9 g
  • Sodium: 50.8 mg
  • Fat: 11.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Protein: 2.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 34.9 mg

Keywords: homemade brownies, how to make brownies from scratch, easy brownies

Filed Under:

Recipe modified from AllRecipes.com

Enjoy!

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Recipe rating

378 Comments
  1. Brittany

    I LOVE THIS RECIPE!!! Perfection!!!!!! Way better than the box. I used avocado oil and they came out delicious! Thank you for this!!

  2. Roselee

    Hi! I’ve made this recipe several times and it is always a big hit! Do you think I could add about 1/3 cup of toffee bits? Would that change the baking time?

  3. Barbara

    This is a great recipe. I used an 8×8 glass square pan and needed to bake it for about 55 minutes. WORTH IT!!! Delicious! If I use this pan again, I might try 375. I used the dark cocoa as recommended, and it was perfect. Will definitely never buy boxed brownies again!!!

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29