American · Easy

Fudgy Brownies

Name: Fudgy Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 9 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Cocoa brownies with a dense center, a thin top crust, and pockets of melted chocolate.

By Simple Home Dish Updated September 9, 2026

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 100 mins
Servings: 9

Total includes about 1 hour cooling.

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An editorial assortment of homemade baked goods — Editorial kitchen image; not a photograph of this specific dish.

A little about this dish

Cocoa brownies with a dense center, a thin top crust, and pockets of melted chocolate. Extra flour or longer baking can make them cakier. Spoon flour into the measuring cup, level it, and remove the pan when the center has moist crumbs rather than waiting for a dry toothpick.

Simple Home Dish

Fudgy Brownies

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 100 mins
Servings: 9

Total includes about 1 hour cooling.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square metal pan with parchment, leaving handles on two sides.
Melt butter and let cool for a few minutes. Whisk with sugar, then eggs and vanilla until smooth and slightly thickened.
Sift in cocoa, flour, and salt. Fold just until no dry streaks remain, then fold in chocolate chips. Spread into the pan.
Bake for 22–28 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick in the center has moist crumbs but no liquid batter. Do not leave the center raw.
Cool in the pan on a rack for about 1 hour before lifting and cutting into 9 squares.

Cooking tips

A glass pan heats differently from metal. Use the pan specified and check near the early end of the baking range for a fudgy but cooked center.

Storage & reheating

Store cooled brownies airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze individually wrapped squares for up to 2 months.

Variations

Stir 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder into the melted butter, or replace chips with chopped semisweet chocolate.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my brownies cakey?

Extra flour or longer baking can make them cakier. Spoon flour into the measuring cup, level it, and remove the pan when the center has moist crumbs rather than waiting for a dry toothpick.