Homemade Brownies
These Homemade Brownies are rich, fudgy, and incredibly easy to make, proving that homemade is always better than box mix! With a deep chocolate flavor and a moist, chewy texture, these brownies are sure to satisfy any chocolate craving. Whether you enjoy them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with a scoop of ice cream, these brownies are pure perfection.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (optional, for extra fudginess)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8x8-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. Melt the Butter:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
3. Make the Brownie Batter:
- Stir in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract into the melted butter. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- If you’re using chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, fold them into the batter.
4. Bake the Brownies:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. The key to fudgy brownies is not to overbake them.
- Allow the brownies to cool in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into squares.
5. Serve:
- Once cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and cut them into squares.
- Serve as is, or top with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips:
- Fudgy vs. Cakey: For fudgier brownies, reduce the baking time slightly. For cakier brownies, you can add an extra egg and increase the baking time by a few minutes.
- Add-ins: Customize your brownies with mix-ins like chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or a swirl of peanut butter or caramel.
- Storage: Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
