Easy Homemade Brownies From Scratch

posted by Lindsay on February 20, 2014
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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 homemade brownies

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.

Stack of brownies with parchment paper

Brownie 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
  • Vanilla Extract – Vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor.
  • Eggs
  • Flour
  • 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.
  • Baking Powder
  • 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! 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! Here’s how:

    • 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 Homemade 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.


Read transcript

Quick and Easy Brownies

Easy Homemade Brownies stacked
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★★★★★

4.8 from 46 reviews

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.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 Brownies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup + 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa
  • 1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×9 square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix together the oil, sugar and vanilla extract.
3. Add eggs and mix until well combined.
4. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
5. Slowly add to the egg mixture until well combined.
6. Pour the batter into the 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

Keywords: brownies recipe, homemade, easy, from scratch, brownie mix, home made, dark chocolate

Recipe modified from AllRecipes.com

Enjoy!

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