Basic Brownies Recipe

Name: Basic Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 ounces bittersweet, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate; 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate; 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces; 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon espresso powder (you can replace this with cocoa powder if you like); 3 large eggs; 1 1/4 cups granulated (white) sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour

Servings: persons

1
Preheat your oven to 350F, and prepare an 8x8 pan. Line pan with parchment or foil, and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2
Melt butter and chocolate together in a double boiler (or by microwaving in 30 second intervals at medium power and stirring between each).
3
Once butter and chocolate are smooth, whisk in cocoa powder and espresso powder. Set aside to cool slightly.
4
In a separate medium/large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla until combined thoroughly.
5
Slowly drizzle your chocolate mixture into your egg mixture, whisking all the while. Do this slowly, as you want to gradually bring the egg mixture up to temperature. If you just dump all the chocolate in at once, you'll scramble your eggs.
6
Stir in flour until just combined.
7
Pour batter into prepared pan, and even out with a spatula.
8
Bake for 32-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (no goopy batter!)
9
Allow to cool for at least 1 hour before removing from pan, using parchment or foil lining as a sling to help you.
10
Cut brownies into desired size pieces (I suggest waiting til they are completely cool to do this, though you may not be able to control yourself...its okay, I understand.) Store in an airtight container, once completely cooled.
11
For the full post on these brownies, and step by step photos, visit http://www.melbakesthings.com/2014/01/30/brownies/

909

kcal

Calories

Fat

115

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 ounces bittersweet, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate, 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and more.

Yes, Basic Brownies falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Basic Brownies

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions