This is the perfect brownie recipe and tastes better from scratch. Use just one mixing bowl and a wooden spoon. You will love these delicious, moist, fudgy brownies!
We love homemade brownies, especially this easy brownie recipe from Grandma's recipe box. Every time I take a bite it takes me right back to my childhood. I've enjoyed these for years as a kid and now make them regularly at home. These are the best brownies from scratch!
Best Brownie Recipe
I love these more than boxed brownie mix. Three reasons why we think this is the best brownie recipe:
- This brownie recipe is made completely from scratch. No weird ingredients or preservatives that you find in a box mix.
- It's very EASY. The batter includes few ingredients mixed into one bowl with a wooden spoon.
- A combination of a cakey brownie with moist crumbs, the texture is SPOT ON.
- The chocolate flavor is perfect as is, but can be enhanced simply by stirring in chocolate chips.
Ingredients
(full printable recipe at end of this post)
This brownies recipe includes few ingredients that are probably already in your pantry. If not, they are easily accessible in your grocery store. Below are the ingredients to make these fudgie brownies.
What You Need:
- All purpose flour: You can use white whole wheat as well, but will turn the brownies a little more dense.
- Granulated sugar: There is quite of bit of sugar in this recipe, but that's why we don't eat brownies all the time, right?
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: As with any ingredients, the choice is yours of how much you want to spend on quality. With these brownies, I found the same results using a name brand versus a generic store brand. Unless you like very dark brownies, I do not suggest Dutch process cocoa in this recipe.
- Vanilla extract: Please use pure vanilla extract and not that fake stuff.
- Vegetable oil: Or, canola oil works just as well. I have not tested with coconut oil or butter. Has anyone tried using applesauce?
- Eggs: Use large eggs. Add one more extra if you like very cakey brownies, and one less if you like them more fudgy and thin.
- Water: No explanation needed.
- Salt: Omit if you like, but I enjoy the extra boost of flavor it brings.
How to Make the Best Brownies
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full step-by-step instructions on how to make the best brownies. The general steps are as follows:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
- Stir all ingredients in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.
- Spread evenly into baking pan.
- Bake 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool before slicing. (Or, serve warm in a fudgy crumbled mound!)
Recipe Variations
Brownies with Chocolate Chips
You can stir your favorite chocolate chips into the brownie batter before baking. Try semisweet chocolate or milk chocolate chips! I like to use the miniature chocolate chips sometimes, too.
Because these brownies are already pretty sweet, I do prefer using semi-sweet chocolate chips. But, it is totally up to you!
Brownies with Nuts
You can stir in your favorite nuts into the brownie mixture. Try walnuts, pistachios or pecans!
Powdered Sugar on Brownies
I absolutely LOVE to sprinkle powdered sugar on the top of my brownies, but it is completely optional. We do not do it every time, but when we do, we sift it through our miniature mesh strainer. The boys go a little wild and sometimes don't know when to stop making it snow.
Tips for the Perfect Brownies
- Use a 9x13 metal pan for best results. The metal pan allows the brownies to evenly bake versus a glass or ceramic pan. I always use my nonstick Wilton 9x13 baking pan.
- Baker's Joy is my favorite nonstick spray for most of my baking recipes.
- Make sure all ingredients are combined, but try not to over mix the batter.
- To ensure the brownie squares do not fall apart, allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Otherwise, you can scoop them while still warm in a fudgy mound topped with ice cream. Delicious!
- Use a plastic knife to cut brownies with clean edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make cakey brownies?
There are differing opinions out there, but in my experience adding an extra egg makes a cakier brownie as well as more baking powder and soda. Some say whisking the eggs into a froth help for a cakey texture.
How do you make fudgy brownies?
These brownies are a good combination of cakey and fudgy, but if you'd like them more fudgy, find a recipe that includes melted chocolate. If you want these brownies more rich and depth in flavor, you can eliminate one of the eggs and also substitute ½ cup of the oil with ½ cup of melted butter.
What makes the perfect brownie?
I love the taste and convenience of these easy brownies, but if you want to dive in deeper, I love Marie's tips for a deeper understanding of what makes the perfect brownie. She's done all the work for you over there.
More Easy Brownie Recipes
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Brownies
- Tiramisu Brownies
- Mexican Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
- Root Beer Float Brownie Sundaes
- Chocolate Black Bean Brownies
Made this recipe?
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Recipe retested and photographed by Lindsay Evers.
Recipe Card
Easy Brownie Recipe from Scratch
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x13-inch pan with nonstick spray. (We prefer Baker's Joy.)
- Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
- Bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool before slicing.
Notes
- For double chocolate brownies, stir in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or ½ cup miniature chocolate chips to the batter.
- For nutty brownies, stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- These brownies are best sliced using a plastic knife. Wipe knife clean when necessary for cleaner edges.
- This recipe is tested with a nonstick Wilton 9x13 pan.
- Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
- Nutrition information is an estimate only.
Angela says
I swapped the cup of oil for a cup of applesauce and chocolate chips as you suggested and it turned out amazing!!
Lindsay says
This brownie recipe is excellent, so quick and easy! I've baked these four times now, and each time they come out perfect, and cut sooo nicely. I add in chocolate chips like you suggest, and that takes them to the next level.
Nikki Gladd says
Thank you for the review, Lindsay! Those chocolate chips really do take them up a notch!
Sue Knapp says
I love these brownies too and I agree, lots of powdered sugar on top makes them more scrumptious.