Easy Cocoa Powder Brownies
This easy brownie recipe calls for only 5 ingredients and is made in just one bowl! These cocoa powder brownies are fudgy and chewy and can be in the oven in just about 5 minutes! Pin it for Later »
Easy Brownie Recipe Overview
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Techniques Used: One Bowl Method
Here’s the rundown of what makes these brownies so easy to make:
- They are made in one bowl and can be in the oven in just about 5 minutes.
- They are made with cocoa powder and do not require you to melt any chocolate.
- They can be made with oil and without butter.
- They only require 5 ingredients and are made without baking powder or baking soda.
How do you make Brownies More Moist?
To make super moist brownies you want to be sure you do not over-bake them and slightly under baking them will keep them even more moist. Take the brownies out of the oven when there are moist crumbs clinging to a tester. If the tester comes out clean then they won’t be as moist.
You can use oil or melted butter for this recipe. Oil is going to make more moist brownies than using butter.
How to Make Brownies from Scratch
The process of making these homemade brownies is incredibly easy. You only need one bowl and a whisk!
Ingredients for Brownies
The 5 ingredients required for these brownies are: sugar, flour, eggs, cocoa powder, and oil or melted butter. Salt is an optional ingredient but I recommend it to balance out the flavors. You can also add chocolate chips or nuts into the brownies if you like.
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl whisk together all of the dry ingredients until they are well combined.
Step 2: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs and the oil or melted butter into the dry ingredients and whisk it all together until smooth. The batter will be quite thick.
Step 3: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into a greased square baking dish and use a rubber spatula to spread it out evenly. Bake the brownies until they are just slightly underdone.
Ingredient Functions in Brownies
- Flour: Flour is the structure for the brownies. These brownies have a low ratio of flour to keep them more moist and chewy.
- Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is also part of the structure of the brownie but is the chocolate flavor of the brownie. You can use natural cocoa powder or dutch processed cocoa powder in this recipe.
- Sugar: You can use granulated sugar, brown sugar, or a combination of the two for these brownies. Brown sugar is going to give the brownies more depth of flavor and more chewiness. Sugar also keeps the brownies moist.
- Liquid Fat: Fat adds richness and moisture to the brownies. You are welcome to use oil or melted butter for these brownies. Oil will make the chewiest brownies.
- Eggs: The eggs bind the brownies together and add moisture and tenderness.
Easy Fudgy Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 cups (392 gr) sugar (granulated, brown, or a combo of the two)
- 1 cup oil or melted butter, slightly cooled
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 gr) flour
- 2/3 cup (70 gr) cocoa powder (natural or dutch processed)
- 1/4 tsp salt (optional, but recommended)
Instructions
- PREP: Preheat oven to 350ºF (177 C) and lightly grease a 9X9" (23x23 cm) or 8X8" (20x20 cm) pan and set aside.
- MIX DRY INGREDIENTS: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt (if using) until well combined.
- MIX WET INGREDIENTS: Add the oil or butter and the eggs into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. The batter will be quite thick. You can also fold in chocolate chips at this point if you want to make them extra chocolatey.
- BAKE: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use a rubber spatula to smooth out. Bake at 350 F (177 C) for 30-35 minutes until a tester comes out with moist crumbs. Slightly under baking them will keep them extra moist and chewy.
- Let cool before slicing.
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Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 265
Made these for a quick treat, used self rising flour they were rich and fudgy also used a fourth of a cup of flaked coconut and fourth of a teaspoon of Expresso intensity of the chocolate was great
Hi Gina! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Awesome, best brownies
Can you use almond flour or coconut flour?
Hi Natalie,
Unfortunately I have never tested this recipe with either of those flours. If you do try it let me know how it goes. If you use coconut flour you will need to use about 1/4th the amount compared to all-purpose flour as it is much more absorbent.
im obsessed with these brownies ever since k tried the recipe now i make them once every 2 weeks! they’re amazing! i love all of your recipes!
That makes me so happy Clara! Glad you enjoy them so much!
This is my go to brownie recipe and has been for years! Simple. Fast. Delicious. Perfect for those us who love fresh baked goods but don’t have a lot of time! Thank you so much baker bettie!
That is so great to hear Jodi! Thank you!
These were terrible. Far too much oil and sugar. I do not suggest this recipe at all unless you’re baking for prison inmates.
Hi Misty! I’m so sorry to hear you did not enjoy these brownies. Since this is a tested recipe (I think I’ve made it at least 50 times over the last 5 years) and many of my readers have also made it with success, I’d love to help you troubleshoot! Did you change anything about the recipe at all? And when you say there was too much oil in the recipe, did yours come out oily? This can happen if your oven is possibly not heating hot enough to the set temperature. The oil can separate from the batter. Or did you not like the texture?
I used oil and boy did it bake funny. Edges over done and center not done.
I used butter and edges were over done and center TOO gooey. I don’t know what went wrong.
Hi Melanie! I’m so sorry to hear this didn’t work out well for you. It sounds like maybe your oven is heating too hot. This would cause the edges to set and burn before the middle gets cooked. Do you by chance have an oven thermometer? If not, try cooking them 25 degrees cooler next time.
I found this recipe after craving something sweet and not having any regular sugar in my house, only brown sugar. These came out amazing! I used all brown sugar and vegetable oil.
So glad to hear that you enjoyed these Erica!
Can you use normal white sugar
Hi Lucy! Yes, you can use granulated sugar or brown sugar. Granulated sugar is white sugar!
I may try Baking with butter instead of oil next time. These came out disgustingly gooey
Hi Lisa! Sorry to hear these didn’t work out well for you! It sounds like your brownies may have been underbaked. They should definitely solidify once cooled. Do you by chance have an oven thermometer to see if your oven is heating to the set temperature?
I just made it yesterday night and left it to cool overnight in the oven. Had it for breakfast this morning and it was delicious! The only thing I changed were:
Reduced sugar to 375 grams
Added 1/4 teaspoon espresso
Folded in Choc chips (gut feel on the amount so no weighting)
Love the texture and taste!! Fast and easy recipe to whip up when you have no time 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Joyce! Your additions sound absolutely delicious!
I tried this recipe tonight and this is actually the worst brownie recipe I’ve ever made. I followed the recipe to a T and yet I had to throw it all away because in the oven a massive layer of oil came up and covered them. I took them out 3 times to remove the excess oil that kept appearing and still, after 45 minutes of baking it was like an oily batter, not a single inch had baked solid.
I used high-quality ingredients and I know brownies can be tricky but this made no sense. I’ve never experienced this before, ever.
Hi Ashley, I’m really bummed to hear you had this issue. I make this recipe almost once a week and it has been tested literally hundreds of times. I’m trying to figure out why you might have had this issue and it sounds like your oven may have not been heating properly. Do you by chance have an oven thermometer in your oven? I wonder if your oven isn’t getting quite to the set temperature. The lower temperature could definitely cause the oil to separate.
My son loves brownies so I thought I would give these a go. First attempt and very happy with how easy the recipe is and the outcome. Next time I will cook for 3 mins less (middle was too gooey sat 35 mins but 38 was too long). Happy Saturday xxx
Hi Lucie! So glad to hear you enjoyed these!
The best brownies I’ve ever made. So yummy!
That’s so great to hear!