This homemade brownie recipe bakes up a delicious and decadent treat with a fudgy frosting.
Why buy a box mix when you can make a brownie recipe from scratch with cocoa powder and other pantry basics? Once you’ve made this, it’ll be your new foundation brownie recipe to make all year!
Heavenly Homemade Brownies
- This homemade brownies recipe has the classic components of most brownies, but without chocolate chips, melts, or bars. We use a generous amount of cocoa powder, which creates a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Always the first to disappear on the picnic or potluck table, homemade brownies can be baked ahead and thawed within a few hours for quick snacks, desserts, or even a swap for birthday cake.
- Who can resist a fudgy frosted brownie with a cold glass of creamy lemonade in the summer or a warmed brownie fresh from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a chilly winter’s day?
- Make a tray of homemade brownies as a hostess gift or a welcome to the neighbourhood gift.
Brownie Basics and Add-Ins
- Chocolate: Cocoa powder is the secret flavor upgrade that makes brownies soft and chewy on the inside.
- Batter: For true made-from-scratch flavor, use real butter and fresh large eggs for the best brownie flavor. Eggs should be at room temperature before using. To ensure brownies stay soft and chewy instead of heavy and dense, measure flour accurately by whisking it in its container before measuring out and level the top of the scoop with a straight edge.
- Frosting: The best brownies are double-dosed with a smooth, fudgy frosting. Five ingredients and 5 minutes are all it takes.
- Mix-Ins: Pecans or walnuts are brownie mix-in basics. Save a few to sprinkle over the frosting before cutting. Mini M&M’s, toffee pieces, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips add fun twists to brownies. Mix in some pumpkin granola for crunchy goodness inside and on top of the frosting.
How to Make Brownies from Scratch
For the Brownies:
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside. (Recipe below.)
- Melt butter with cocoa powder in a large pot. Remove from heat and stir until the lumps dissolve.
- Stir remaining ingredients into the pot (except optional walnuts). Fold in flour mixture and nuts, if using.
- Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
For the Frosting:
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and whisk in the cocoa.
- Place all frosting ingredients in the bowl and blend until smooth.
- Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into portions.
Tips for the Best Brownies
- An electric mixer makes the frosting extra fluffy, but it can also be mixed by hand.
- Eliminate lumps in cocoa powder by sifting or whisking before combining it with other ingredients.
- Do you love the chewy-crisp edge pieces of brownies more than the soft, fluffy center ones? If so, consider getting a special brownie pan, or try baking your brownies in a muffin tin (without liners) instead! Baking time will be shorter, so check after 20-25 minutes.
- For easy brownie removal and cutting, line the brownie pan or baking pan with parchment paper that overlaps a couple of inches on each long side. Lightly spray with pan release.
- The key to perfectly cut brownies with straight edges that don’t collapse when you cut them is to make sure they are fully cooled before cutting. For the best results, chill cooled brownies 30 minutes before cutting and remove from pan onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife with pan release sprayed on both sides (or use a wet kitchen towel to wipe the knife between slices). Slide the knife from the center to the edges instead of sawing.
Sweet Storage Tips
Store homemade brownies in a covered container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze frosted brownie squares by stacking between sheets of parchment paper or wrapping in plastic film and transferring to a zippered bag. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month. Frozen brownies are great on hot summer days.
Freeze unfrosted brownies by wrapping them the same as frosted brownies. Reheat in the microwave at 30-second intervals.
More Cures for Chocolate Cravings
Did you try this Homemade Brownie Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Homemade Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs beaten
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped nuts optional
Fudgy Cocoa Frosting
- 3 Tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9×13 inch baking pan and set aside.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt butter. Remove from heat and add cocoa. Stir until smooth, removing most lumps by stirring against the side of the pot.
- Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla into the pot and stir in. Fold in flour mixture and nuts (if using).
- Pour into prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake 30-35 minutes. Cool.
Fudgy Cocoa Frosting
- In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and cocoa. Add milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar, and blend until smooth.
- Spread frosting on cooled brownies. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Refrigerate brownies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, individually wrap in plastic film and transfer to a zip bag. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Thaw at room temperature, or enjoy warm by microwaving for 30 seconds.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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