No need for a boxed mix when you can make fudgy homemade brownies complete with crackly top using ingredients you already have on hand. This brownies recipe is easy to whip up from scratch and produces a rich, decadent treat that is sure to please the whole family!
Fudgy Homemade Brownies are one of those treats that everyone loves. With their ultra fudgy center and perfect chewy edges, how can anyone say no to a bite of brownie? They are perfectly decadent and sure to satisfy any chocolate craving when it hits!
We love this made from scratch recipe because we can easily whip up the perfect batch of brownies without making a trip to the store for a boxed mix. Made with ingredients you likely already have in your fridge and pantry, these decadent brownies are surprisingly easy to make.
This decadent treat is full of chocolate flavor. If you want to make them even more decadent, be sure to check out my Oreo Brownies recipe.
Why we love this recipe
- It’s delicious! These brownies are decadent and full of chocolate flavor.
- There is no need to use a box mix with questionable ingredients. Simple fridge and pantry staples come together to make the perfect brownies.
- These brownies are ultra fudgy with the perfect chewy-crisp edges.
- You can easily take these up a notch by adding mix-ins like nuts, m&ms, or a frosting. These Oreo Brownies are another great option!
Ingredients in Fudgy Homemade Brownies
- Flour: All purpose flour.
- Baking powder: Just a little used as a leavener, but not too much as you don’t want much lift.
- Salt: I little is added to bring out enhance the flavor.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is melted on the stove top for this recipe. You can use oil instead but butter lends more flavor to the brownies.
- Cocoa powder: Use a good quality cocoa powder for the best flavor.
- Instant espresso powder: Added to enhance the chocolate flavor. If caffeine is an issue, you can omit this ingredient.
- Sugar: white granulated sugar.
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract: Adds to the flavor.
- Chocolate chips: Mixed into the batter.
**Note: Ingredient quantities and full instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.**
How to make Fudgy Homemade Brownies
- Prep. Preheat oven to 350F and line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Melt butter and stir with cocoa powder, espresso powder, and sugar. In a medium saucepan, add the butter, instant espresso powder, and cocoa powder. Melt the butter and simultaneously whisk together with the other ingredients over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the sugar and stir in. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Mix all ingredients. In a stand mixer (or mixing bowl with a hand mixer), add the saucepan ingredients. With the mixer running at medium speed, add the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time. Slowly add the dry ingredients and stop the mixer as soon as they are incorporated. Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.
- Bake. Spread the batter into the lined baking dish using an offset spatula (the batter is thick and will need to be spread with a spatula). Bake for 25-27 minutes or until the edges are firm and the center is set. Let the brownies cool before slicing.
Storing leftover brownies
Once cooled completely, brownies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-5 days (if you can let them last that long!) If you plan on keeping them longer, it is best to store them in the fridge.
Can you freeze brownies?
Yes, you can easily freeze leftover brownies. Once cooled wrap individual brownie slices with plastic food wrap. Place the wrapped brownies in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Brownie Mix-ins and Toppings
This classic brownies recipe is delicious as it is, but can be used as a base recipe for so many mix-ins or toppings. Some options include:
- Nuts. Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans are great in brownies.
- Frosted brownies. This Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting is one we love to use. Be sure to let your brownies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Chocolate candy treats like M&Ms or Mini Peanut Butter cups. Mix them right into the batter or sprinkle them on top just before baking.
- Oreos. My Oreo Brownies recipe includes a layer of Oreo cookies.
- Peanut butter. Before baking, spoon dollops of peanut butter over the brownie batter. Use a butter knife or toothpick to swirl the peanut butter into the batter.
- Caramel or Dulce de Leche. Similar to the technique for peanut butter, you can swirl dollops of caramel or dulce de leche in the batter before baking.
- Nutella. Swirled onto the batter before baking.
**This recipe and post was originally published in 2021 but updated and improved in June 2026.**
You may also like:
Oreo Brownies
Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies
Fudgy Avocado Brownies
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Fudgy Homemade Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder (used to enhance the chocolate flavor. Can be omitted if caffeine is an issue).
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, add the butter, espresso powder, and cocoa powder. Melt the butter and simultaneously whisk together with the other ingredients over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the sugar and stir in. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- In a stand mixer (or mixing bowl with a hand mixer), add the saucepan ingredients. With the mixer running at medium speed, add the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time. Slowly add the dry ingredients and stop the mixer as soon as they are incorporated. Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.
- Spread the batter into the lined baking dish using an offset spatula (the batter is thick and will need to be spread with a spatula). Bake for 25-27 minutes or until the edges are firm and the center is set. Let the brownies cool before slicing.
Note: Metric ingredient measurements are provided as a courtesy using a third-party calculator and are rounded to the nearest unit. The recipes provided on this site have not been tested with metric measurements and their accuracy cannot be verified.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Accurate nutritional facts will vary based on the particular brands used, portion sizes, measurement accuracy and more.
