Homemade Brownies
These Homemade Brownies are rich, fudgy, and made from scratch. The brownie batter can be made in less than 15 minutes and tastes amazing served warm or at room temperature.
The first time you make homemade brownies you are going to wonder why you've never made them before. Nothing beats homemade. Try this recipe and you will never want to go back to boxed brownie mix again. BUT, if you need to use a boxed brownie mix, I have an awesome post and recipe on how to make box brownies better.
The rich chocolate, fudgy texture, and thick brownie are all great reasons to come back to this recipe over and over again. As if that wasn't enough, you don't have to worry about preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, or other hidden ingredients.
What are the Ingredients in Homemade Brownies?
Butter - Because almost everything good starts with a stick of butter.I prefer salted butter, but you can use unsalted as well.
Vegetable Oil - Canola Oil is a good substitute. Olive Oil is not because it has too much flavor.
Granulated Sugar - Also known as white sugar or table sugar.
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Light Brown Sugar - Dark brown has too much flavor for this application. It can be used if you have to, but it may affect the flavor.
Large Eggs - Eggs are used to add texture, increase moisture levels, and help with leavening or rise. Using a size other than large eggs will definitely change how the homemade brownies turn out.
Vanilla Extract - Vanilla beans are soaked in alcohol to make pure vanilla extract and it will infuse so much flavor into your baked goods. You can make your own homemade vanilla extract too!
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - Since you are already adding sugar and butter to this recipe, unsweetened cocoa powder is a better choice.
All-Purpose Flour - This is made from a blend of both hard and soft flours so that it can be used for many different applications.
Salt - Brings out the flavor of the chocolate.
Baking Powder - Helps the brownies not get too dense.
How to Make Homemade Brownies
You might think is really complicated because we seem so dependent on mixes for this recipe. It's really not at all complicated to make homemade brownies, and they taste so good.
First, you should get your pan ready and preheat the oven. Then you can start mixing up the ingredients. Cream the fat and sugars first in a large mixing bowl.
Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until the mixture becomes lighter in color. Do not use a hand mixer.
Add in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir in with a spatula just until combined. Don’t overmix or it will become cakey.
Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x13 pan and carefully spread the dough to the edges. It becomes a challenge with thick batter and parchment paper in the pan to spread it out.
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out with moist crumbs and no wet batter.
Allow the homemade brownies to cool to room temperature in the pan.
How to Store Leftover Brownies
Keep extra brownies in an airtight container for up to a week. No need to refrigerate. If you'd like to have your brownies last longer, you can keep them in the freezer for up to three months in an airtight container or freezer-quality zipper bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Simply substitute the flour in this recipe with your favorite gluten-free all-purpose one-for-one flour. That's it! These new flour mixtures are incredible! If you are making these for someone you do not regularly bake for who is gluten-free, be sure to clean all surfaces and avoid cross-contamination.
Five to seven days in an airtight container. Seriously though, in this house, the answer is twenty seconds! Do people actually have leftover brownies to save?
If you do not have cocoa powder, you should probably run to the store and get some for this recipe. You can also order on Amazon. In order to make brownies without cocoa powder, you will have to try a different recipe.
Yes. For best results, wrap each brownie individually in parchment paper first, then place them in an airtight container or freezer-quality zipper baggy. They will keep for up to three months in the freezer but will dry out over time.
To thaw them, place them in the fridge overnight or on the counter at room temperature for an hour.
More Brownie Recipes
Homemade Brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¾ cup vegetable oil canola oil will work
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray and line with parchment paper. Leave a slight overhang on sides across from each other. If they fall down, use binder clips to hold it in place. I like the leave the handles up instead of folding them down into the pan. Give the sides without parchment paper another spray of
- In a large mixing bowl, add in the butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk until combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk for 1 minute or until the mixture becomes lighter in color.
- Add in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir in with a spatula just until combined. Don’t overmix or it will become cakey.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x13 pan and carefully spread the dough to the edges. It becomes a challenge with thick batter and parchment paper in the pan to spread it out.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out with moist crumbs and not wet batter.
- Allow to cool to room temperature in the pan.
- Remove from the pan by pulling on both sides of the parchment paper overhang. If it’s not firm enough to hold together, pop it in the fridge to firm up before pulling it out.
- Cut and serve.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
Love the homemade brownies!!!
Agree, they are one of our favorites!!!