This easy brownie recipe makes wonderfully cakey, fudgy brownies with crisp, crackly tops and chewy centers. They are just like the ones made from a box, but even better.
If you love rich desserts, you’ll also want to try these caramel cookie bars.
After lots of testing (and plenty of taste-testing), I finally landed on a homemade brownie that gives you everything you love about the classic box mix: deep, fudgy chocolate flavor, that signature crackly top, and the perfect balance of chewy and cakey. These brownies are rich, chocolatey, and come together with just a bowl and a whisk. If you’ve been looking for a go-to brownie recipe that feels nostalgic but tastes even better, this is it.
Homemade Brownies That Check Every Box (Literally)
Boxed brownies are great. But these? These are next level. They’ve got everything you love about the classic mix (fudgy texture, rich chocolate flavor, that signature crackly top), but they’re made completely from scratch with just one bowl and zero fuss.
- The texture is unreal. Using oil instead of butter gives these brownies that chewy, fudgy bite you want in every brownie. They’re soft in the center, slightly cakey around the edges, and honestly kind of perfect.
- Big chocolate energy. These brownies are loaded with rich, deep cocoa flavor. No shortcuts, no bitterness, just full-on chocolate in every bite.
- They’re fast and foolproof. No melting chocolate, no fancy steps. Just whisk everything together, pour it in the pan, and bake. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in 10 minutes.
What You’ll Need
Here’s a list of ingredients needed to make these moist, flavorful brownies. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for a printable list.
- All-purpose flour – Feel free to use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour instead.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – I used to use Hershey’s special dark cocoa in these, but they changed it a few years back and now I prefer regular cocoa in these. The final texture is better.
- Baking powder – For just a bit of rise, contributing to that cakey texture.
- Salt – For flavor and always needed.
- Vegetable oil – I have tried butter in these brownies and while it works, the oil definitely produces the more intended mix of cakey/fudgy texture.
- Sugar – For sweetness and moisture.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla extract actually helps soften some of the bitterness of cocoa.
- Eggs – For binding things together and adding chewiness.
How to Make This Brownie Recipe
In just 10 minutes, you could be popping these amazing homemade brownies in the oven. What are you waiting for? Here’s how to do it. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Prep. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×9 square baking pan.
- Combine the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine the wet ingredients. Mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla extract. Add the eggs and mix to combine.
- Put it all together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine.
- Bake. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Tips for Success
- Go easy on the mixing. Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until you don’t see streaks of flour. Overmixing can make the brownies dense and tough instead of soft and chewy—so keep it gentle!
- Line your pan for easy cleanup. You can grease the pan if you want, but I recommend parchment paper. Let it hang over the sides a bit so you can lift the brownies right out when they’re done. Way easier (and cleaner) when it’s time to slice.
- Use oil—trust me. It’s the secret to that super fudgy, box-mix texture we’re after. Butter might add flavor, but oil gives you that soft, chewy bite and glossy crackle on top. I’ve tested it both ways. Oil wins. Every time.
How to Store
Let the brownies cool completely before slicing. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container, or stack them with parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking. You can also wrap individual brownies in plastic wrap for grab-and-go treats. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week at room temperature or 2 weeks in the fridge.
Want to freeze them? Wrap them in plastic wrap, then in an airtight, freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw them in the fridge or on the counter.
More Brownie Recipes
I love brownies so, naturally, I have spent some time playing with recipes and developing new takes on the classic. Here are some of my favorite brownie recipes for you to try.
Watch The Video
Easy Brownies Recipe
save this recipe
Enter your email & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus get new recipes from us every week!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (98g) all-purpose flour (measured properly)
- ½ cup (57g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon + ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups (310g) sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
Instructions
- 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.
- Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt to a medium sized bowl and set aside.
- Add the oil, sugar and vanilla extract to large mixing bowl and mix together until well combined.
- Add the eggs and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined, but don’t over mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
- Allow brownies to cool completely, then use the overhanging parchment paper to remove the brownie from the pan. Cut into bars.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. Best if eaten within 5-7 days.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
These brownies are absolutely delicious and so easy to make! It took me less than 10 minutes to whip them up! It did take mine around 45 minutes to bake, but hey I’m all good with waiting for these delicious treats! Thank you so much for this recipe!
So glad you enjoyed them!
hi! i want to make these but i only have a 8in×8in pan, what time do i bake them for?
I haven’t tried that size for this recipe, but it should be similar baking times.
Can I substitute vanilla extract?
Thanks
I haven’t tried, but you could maybe use maple syrup or vanilla bean.
I loved these so much! They are always gone so quickly every time but they always take about 40 minutes to bake but still, they taste so fudgy and amazing; I’m so glad I found this recipe!
I’m so glad to hear they are a hit!
Love these brownies! I’ve made them a few times now. Instead of vanilla, I used two teaspoons of cinnamon for a Mexican chocolate taste. …Turned out great!
Didn’t have chocolate chips and was heavily craving that pillsbury box mix brownie – this is an absolutely fantastic recipe without all the preservatives if you’re looking for the same cakey/chewy/fudgy texture! Thanks so much! 🙂 p.s. i’m an edge person and these edges were INCREDIBLE.
Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed the brownies and found this recipe!
I’ve been looking for a good brownie recipe for a while and every time it’s fallen short. This recipe is not only simple but the brownies are DELICIOUS! I added a bit of chocolate chips and walnuts the first time but they’re amazing with it without them. They’re thick and fluffy all at once. ❤️ Definitely my go-to brownie recipe now!
Wonderful! So glad you enjoy them!
I made this today and it turned out perfect !! My son enjoyed eating them. I used regular cocoa but still I felt it was more chochlatey. We felt it was more sweeter may be next time I can reduce the sugar little. Otherwise it was perfect ! Thanks for the easy recipe.
Hi Lindsay,
I tried this recipe, and Trust me, never in my life have i tasted such a delicious brownie. Everyone in my family loved it, and i had to actually make 4 batches for my brother’s office potluck.
However, i just have one concern, the brownies were gooey and soft inside with crackling top.
But the sides become very tough and rubbery. i don’t know what to do, hence, i had to cut sides by half inch from all the four sides. Please help.
I’m not sure I know what you mean by rubbery and tough. The edges will obviously cook more and be firmer, but I’m not sure how they’d be rubbery.
Our batter was so super thick. I ended up mixing it with my hands to get all the flour incorporated. I saw others said theirs were more wet. Not sure the difference- I guess we will have to keep trying them to see the difference ????
My go to brownie recipe ????
Wonderful to hear that!
These were awesome! I followed your recipe exactly – I baked mine for 30 minutes and they were quite gooey in the middle (didn’t stop anyone from downing them though!), so for my oven, I think when I make them again today, I will give them an extra 5 minutes. Ovens are so variable! Thanks for sharing and rescuing me from the dreaded box-of-tasty-chemicals which i normally resort too…. 🙂
Oven times can definitely vary. I’m so glad you enjoyed the brownies! 🙂
Mine are in the oven now. My one word of advice so far, MIX BY HAND! I made a mess with the first little bit of flour mixture that I added. Hahaha! But, after I started mixing by hand, it went smoothly. I expected the batter to be thicker. I guess we will see!
I love this recipe but the ads and pop up videos on this site are absurd!
This is the BEST brownie recipe EVER!! You might not even see this but, I just want to let you know. I’ve tried a lot of different brownie recipes in the past and they never really turned out the way I like brownies. The first time I tried this recipe I was so satisfied. I’ve now been making these brownies for my friends & family for years, and everyone who has ever tasted them absolutely falls in love!! So thank you for this incredible recipe!
Wonderful to hear! So glad you’ve enjoyed them!
Ok, so I made your brownie recipe, HOPING it would be a good one and not one of those brownie recipes that ends up having that bitter after taste of baking powder. Let me just say…DELICIOUS!!! So delicious that I got on the internet and searched for you here because I HAD to tell you how yummy they are…and a big THANK YOU, too, for the recipe itself! BEST BROWNIE RECIPE I’VE EVER USED…HANDS DOWN! For those of you who haven’t tried it…seriously…it really IS like a good, boxed brownie mix. I’m pigging out on them right now!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Omg love sooo good with raisins pecans and coconut in them with frosting on top
So glad you enjoyed them!
I used baking cocoa (dutch dark cocoa) and the batter was thick. It’s in the oven right now, so will see how this will turn out.
I have never actually made brownies from scratch before, we were having company for dinner and decided we needed dessert–I googled “Fool Proof Brownie Recipe” and your’s looked easy enough I decided to try it–I only had regular cocoa, but they turned out great! My husband normally doesn’t even like brownies and ate a bunch of them–that was 2 weeks ago… I’m on my 3rd batch (second 2 times with dark chocolate). Bonus–I’m lactose intolerant and since they don’t have milk or butter, as long as you use the right chocolate, these are lactose free brownies!
Thank you for saving the day!