How to Make Easy Brownies from Scratch (Fudgy & Simple)

Learn how to make easy brownies from scratch with this simple, fudgy recipe. Perfect for quick desserts and chocolate cravings.

The Perfect Easy Brownies

The perfect brownies offer the best of all thing things you love. They're fudgy, chocolate-y, crisp on the edges, and crackly on top. No pressure!

Why is that, do you suppose? Why is the simple brownie--truly one of life's favorite pleasures--so hard to get right?

Brownie Mixes are Cheap, Popular, and Easy

There's your answer right there. There are a zillion brownie boxed mixes out there and many of them are super yummy. Some are chewy. Some are cake-like. Others have chocolate chips and some are loaded with caramel. Who would want to take the time to make a from-scratch version when you can get an easy alternative?

Me. I wanted to. Call it a quest. Call it a challenge. I had to figure this out, on the off chance that I ever end up on a televised baking competition and need to prove I've got the goods.

Now, I know. . .this website is called "Out of the Box Baking." Most of my recipes actually start with a box. And yes, I've certainly used boxed brownie mixes. I've even turned cake mixes into brownies by eliminating the water and cutting the eggs to two.

But I felt strongly about finding a perfect, easy brownie recipe that anyone could make, even if they didn't happen to have a mix on-hand.

Should Brownies be Gooey or Cakey?

Like so many other bakers, I wanted a great recipe for a brownie that was "sort of" fudgy and "sort of" cakey. I mean, let's get real, people. . .there's got to be something in-between those two, right?

So, I went on a quest to try recipes until I stumbled across one that was pretty close to perfect.

And I found it.

No, really. I have finally got a recipe for brownies that's perfect-to-me, not just because it beautifully balances gooey and cakey, but because it's just so darned easy to make!

Now, I know what you're asking. . .

How do I make the perfect brownies?

It's easier than you think and you've probably got the ingredients in your pantry and fridge right now!

Here's what you're going to need to make my Easy Brownies:

INGREDIENTS:

• salted butter
• granulated sugar
• large eggs
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• all-purpose flour
• baking powder (not pictured)
• vanilla extract
• chocolate chips (I used red and white for Valentine's Day)

That's it! Not a lot of ingredients are needed, but boy, do they bake up into something delicious. Even if this is your first time making homemade brownies, you can relax! They'll turn out fine.

HOW TO MAKE EASY BROWNIES

Start by preheating oven to 350 degrees.

I made sure my butter was room temperature. I mixed it up with my rubber spatula, then stirred in the sugar and kept beating.

Next I tossed in my eggs and vanilla, but decided to reach for my hand mixer. I whipped it up until the batter was light and fluffy.

Next came the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and cocoa. At this point I had to double-check to make sure I didn't need baking powder. Nope. No baking powder or baking soda in this recipe. That made sense, actually. It's the baking powder that makes a cake light and fluffy. I wasn't going to flight and fluffy here.

I dumped in the dry ingredients and was grateful I'd opted to use the mixer. The batter, at this point, was getting pretty firm!

I folded in my red and white chips and then my batter went into a prepared 8x8 pan.

The brownies baked for 30-35 minutes. I wanted to make sure they were touchable on top but not firm. These were perfect!

Because I was going for a Valentines look, I added more red and white chips on top while the brownies were still hot. That way they would melt a little and stick to the top.

I couldn't wait to cut them, but knew not to do it right away. I didn't want them to cool completely. (Duh! Who likes a cold brownie?) But I knew they would probably be too gooey if I cut them hot.

I let the brownies cool slightly and they cut them while still in the pan. I cut mine to make a dozen brownies but you could easily make 16 if you cut them smaller. (Why would you, though?)

One of my favorite parts was seeing the red and white chips pop through. And y'all. . .this brownie had some goo in the middle but was still plenty cakey on top.

The Perfect, Easy Brownie!

These were absolutely dreamy!

Best of all? They had the perfect amount of chocolatey-ness. (Is that a word?) Some brownies are too dark. Others aren't chocolate enough. But, for me, these were absolutely perfect.

Because these brownies were so yummy, I made a quick, executive decision. I stacked them on a paper plate and drove to a friend's house. (Trust me when I say that I ate a jumbo one first, and it definitely wasn't Weight Watchers friendly!)

My friends flipped over the brownies, so I knew I (finally!) had a winner!

You Can Make These Easy Brownies!

You can be a winner by making these brownies, too! They come together so quickly and they're super easy! I placed a printable recipe card with a complete list of ingredients, measurements, and directions at the bottom of the page for your convenience.

If you're baking for a crowd, double the recipe and use a 9x13" pan.

Questions People are Asking about Brownies:

Why do my brownies always seem to fail?

There are three primary reasons brownies fail:

• First, they're too gooey and don't cook up in the middle. (You've probably had this happen, where they're over-cooked on the outside but not cooked enough in the middle.) You can remedy this by not making your batter so deep. Spread it thinner.
• Second, you're adding baking powder and ending up with something more like a cake. Skip the baking powder! You don't need it.
• Finally, they're not chocolatey. You can fix this by adding plenty of cocoa but also adding chocolate chips.

What can I add to my brownie batter?

We're all about thinking outside the box here, so it's time to explore some fun additions. The options are limitless, but here are some exciting ideas:

• Chopped Oreos
• Walnuts or pecans
• Mint chocolate chips
• Caramel chips
• Chopped pretzels with caramel
• Butterscotch chips
• Graham crackers (chopped) with toasted mini marshmallows on top.
• Peanut Butter (swirl it into the batter or let it melt on top)

Do I need to refrigerate these easy brownies?

• Nope. In fact, you shouldn't. They'll harden up.

Can I ice these brownies?

• Of course! You can melt chocolate chips in a tiny bit of milk or whipping cream and make your own ganache. Pour it over the top. You can also drizzle caramel (either made from scratch or ice cream topping) over your chocolate frosting. You can even use my Dreamy Buttercream on top of these brownies.

Calling All Brownie Lovers! More Delicious Brownie Recipes to Try

If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that you can never have too many brownie recipes! Whether you love your brownies rich and fudgy, chewy around the edges, loaded with chocolate, or dressed up with delicious toppings, there's something here for everyone. At Out of the Box Baking, I love taking ordinary ingredients and turning them into extraordinary treats, and these brownie recipes are some of my favorite ways to do just that!

• Easy Homemade Brownies: Sometimes you just can't beat a classic! These easy brownies are perfect when you're craving a homemade chocolate treat without a lot of fuss.
• Easy Cake Mix Brownies: Got a box of cake mix in the pantry? Turn it into a batch of delicious brownies with this simple shortcut recipe. It's a great example of thinking outside the box!
• Easy Doctored Brownie Mix with Mint Chocolate: Chocolate and mint are a match made in dessert heaven! This easy recipe takes a boxed brownie mix and gives it a refreshing mint-chocolate twist.
• Grasshopper Brownies from Scratch: If you love that classic grasshopper flavor combination, these homemade brownies are calling your name. They're a fun way to turn an ordinary chocolate dessert into something special.
• Simple Doctored Brownie Mix: Want to make your boxed brownies taste a little more homemade? This recipe shows how a few simple additions can take an ordinary brownie mix to the next level.
• German Chocolate Brownies: Love German chocolate cake? These brownies bring that beloved chocolate, coconut, and pecan combination into a delicious handheld dessert.
• Simple Sourdough Brownies: Here's a delicious way to put sourdough discard to work! These chocolate brownies are a wonderful alternative to traditional sourdough breads and breakfast treats.
• Hot Cocoa Brownies from a Doctored Cake Mix: If you love a cozy mug of hot chocolate, you'll enjoy this creative brownie recipe. It combines the convenience of a boxed cake mix with the comforting flavor of hot cocoa.
• How to Doctor a Brownie Mix: Easy Hacks for Better Box Brownies: This handy guide is packed with ideas for transforming ordinary boxed brownies into something extraordinary. It's a great place to start when you're feeling creative in the kitchen!
• Easy Black Magic Brownies (Rich and Fudgy): Calling all serious chocolate lovers! These deeply chocolatey brownies are rich, fudgy, and perfect for those moments when an ordinary brownie just won't do.
• Easy Red Velvet Brownies from Cake Mix: These beautiful red velvet brownies are a fun twist on traditional chocolate brownies. Starting with a boxed cake mix makes them especially easy to prepare for holidays, parties, or everyday treats.
• Dolly Parton Pecan Pie Brownies: Brownies meet Southern pecan pie in this decadent dessert! If you love rich chocolate and crunchy pecans, this is one recipe you'll definitely want to try.
• Brownie Bites with Chocolate Truffle Filling: Sometimes the best desserts come in small packages! These little brownie bites have a luscious chocolate truffle filling that makes them perfect for parties, dessert trays, or sharing with friends.

There's Always Room for Another Brownie!

Whether you're baking for a family gathering, church potluck, holiday celebration, or simply because you're craving chocolate, I hope you'll find a new favorite among these recipes. From easy boxed-mix shortcuts to rich homemade creations, there's no shortage of delicious ways to enjoy a brownie. And if you're anything like me, you'll have a hard time stopping at just one!

If You Liked my Easy Brownie Recipe. . .

Spice up your brownies with my Easy Chocolate Chip Brookies recipe! The perfect mix of brownie, cookie and chocolate! If you love brownies and want the convenience of an easy cookie, try my Stuffed Brownie Cookies recipe!

If you're nuts about chocolate (see what I did there?) you'll love my German Chocolate cake recipe. You can really dress up the boxed mix by adding milk and butter instead of water and oil.

The first recipe that I ever posted on this blog was my Mint Oreo Trifle recipe. It's still a personal favorite. If you're keen to make it, you can use this brownie recipe for the base layer of the trifle. Yum!

These brownies would also be fantastic in my DIY Cupcake Trifles! Brownies and trifle just seem to go together.

I keep staring at this recipe for Chocolate Pound Cake from South Your Mouth. I know I'm on Weight Watchers, but y'all. . .

Sometimes it's mighty hard to resist!

If you love brownies and dessert bars, be sure to check out my Brownies & Dessert Bars Hub, filled with rich, chocolatey, and easy-to-make treats.

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About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 150 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.