My homemade brownies from scratch are fudgy, decadent, so chocolatey and the batter can be made in just minutes! This has been a fan-favorite for over 8 years and will have you ditching the box-mixes for good. Recipe includes a how-to video and lots of tips for shiny, crackly brownie tops!
Brownies From Scratch
I first shared this homemade brownie recipe years ago and it’s remained one of my personal favorites ever since, a classic right up there with my chocolate chip cookies and easy apple pie. It’s served as the base of many of my other brownie recipes on my site (perhaps most deliciously, my cheesecake brownies) and is perfect for beginners and advanced bakers alike.
At its core, this is really a no-frills, easy brownie recipe that really needs little introduction, but if you’re like me and love nerding out about nitty gritty recipe details, please read on (otherwise, hit that big “Jump to Recipe” button overhead)!
Why You Should Try THIS Brownie Recipe:
- Intense chocolate flavor. Melted chocolate, cocoa powder, and added chocolate chips put these brownies over the top. Add a pinch of instant coffee or espresso powder to the batter for an even more decadent chocolate experience.
- Shiny, crackly tops. While it may seem like just aesthetics, shiny and crackly tops are something that I personally love about brownies and that I wanted my own version to have. I spent years cracking the code on this and am very happy to share what I’ve found with you (it’s all about mixing the eggs and sugar… more on this below!).
- Easy, for when you need a chocolate fix in a hurry! My homemade brownies come together in just 10 minutes. Minimal mess & no mixer needed.
- Perfected recipe (true brownie texture!). This recipe was carefully (and repeatedly) tested to yield brownies that are dense, fudgy, and super chocolatey with the aforementioned shiny, crackly tops. I must’ve baked 100 different batches before landing on this version.
Ingredients for Homemade Brownies
We won’t go over every ingredient in detail (who has the time when there are brownies to be made!), but I think you should know what it is that truly makes these the best brownie recipe. The ingredients are common enough, but there are a few extras mixed in, along with a bit of technique… (more on that later).
Let’s dig in.
- Sugar. A blend of granulated and brown sugar is the way to go in almost every recipe, honestly, but especially here. The subtle molasses-ness of the brown sugar rounds out the flavor of the chocolate and adds extra chew to our brownies!
- Eggs… plus an extra yolk! The egg whites play a critical role in giving you brownies with a shiny, crackly top. When coupled with the sugar and whipped, you’ll be able to achieve exactly that boxed-brownie look. An extra yolk enriches the batter and makes the brownies even more tender and fudgy.
- Chocolate. For intensely chocolatey homemade brownies we build the batter on a base of melted chocolate and butter and then toss in some cocoa powder while the mixture is still warm (to help bloom it, as we do in my chocolate cake). Chocolate chips work in a pinch, but baking bars are best. Use semisweet baking bars, or, if you like a darker chocolate, use 60% cacao instead! Then, at the end, I do recommend mixing in some chocolate chips for an extra punch of chocolate.
- Instant coffee. If you’re someone who prefers dark chocolate, you’ll want to add this. It adds depth and enhances the chocolate flavor, particularly the more bitter flavors that you’ll find in dark chocolate. You can make things even more intense by swapping this with espresso powder, or if you’re not a fan feel free to omit it.
Sam’s Tip: These brownies were specifically and carefully designed to be dense and fudgy, and not cakey. However, if you like a lighter brownie you can stir in a quarter teaspoon of baking powder with the flour.
How to Make Brownies from Scratch
Whisk the eggs and sugar
I’ll usually melt my chocolate and butter together first (do this in intervals, stirring in between, just like when melting chocolate in the microwave). Then set this aside and combine your eggs and sugar and stir vigorously. Whisking together the eggs and sugar almost as if you were making meringue is critical to creating those shiny, crackly tops that you’ll see at the end!
The vigorous whisking can be an arm workout, but can absolutely be done by hand (usually takes me 60 seconds or so). You could alternatively use an electric mixer for this step!
Once the eggs are well-mixed, stir in your vanilla extract and salt.
Add the melted chocolate
Stir the melted chocolate into the batter. Everything should be thoroughly combined, but you don’t have to worry about whisking aggressively or vigorously, like you did with the eggs and sugar.
Finish the brownie batter & bake
Add the flour, followed by the chocolate chips. Once again, the batter just needs to be uniformly combined, no need to go crazy with mixing here! Once everything is combined, scrape your brownie batter into a 9×9″ baking pan, smooth it into an even layer (add a few more chocolate chips on top if you’d like, for good measure!) and bake!
SAM’S TIP: I recommend baking your brownies in a metal pan, as glass pans can take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
An extra egg yolk, a bit of brown sugar, real melted chocolate, a bit less flour than you might expect, and no baking powder or baking soda all contribute to the rich fudginess of these brownies. If your brownies turn out cakey after following my recipe, it may be that your flour was accidentally over-measured.
After years of making homemade brownies from scratch, I can tell you with confidence the secret is following a good recipe. Use one that recommends vigorously whisking the eggs and sugar, enriches the batter with melted chocolate, and for good measure adds a pinch of instant coffee or espresso. Obviously I’m biased, but my recipe really does crack the code for perfect brownies, and I’m excited for you to try it.
Unfortunately, a straight substitution of the chocolate called for with white chocolate yields results that are too sweet and a bit oily. However, I do have a white chocolate brownie recipe that I recommend you try instead, or for a chocolate-less version try my blondies!
More Chocolate Desserts
This is truly the easiest, ultimate, best homemade brownie recipe. And I really think you are going to love it.
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Fudgy Homemade Brownies from Scratch
Ingredients
- 12 Tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter cut into Tablespoon-sized pieces
- 4 oz (113 g) semisweet chocolate bar chopped into small pieces
- ½ cup (50 g) natural cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- ½ teaspoon instant coffee grounds optional
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (127 g) semisweet chocolate chips
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×9 baking pan¹ with parchment paper²
- Combine butter and chopped chocolate in a large, microwave-safe bowl.12 Tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter, 4 oz (113 g) semisweet chocolate bar
- Microwave in 25-second intervals, stirring well in between, until completely melted and smooth.
- Immediately add cocoa powder and instant coffee (if using), stir well.½ cup (50 g) natural cocoa powder (unsweetened), ½ teaspoon instant coffee grounds
- In a separate, medium-sized mixing bowl, combine sugars and eggs. Whisk vigorously, until well combined and lightened in color (at least 60 seconds of vigorous whisking, this ensures shiny, crackly tops! Feel free to use an electric mixer!).¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar, ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar, 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk
- Stir in vanilla extract and salt.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
- Drizzle chocolate mixture into egg mixture and stir until completely combined.
- Add flour, stir until completely combined.1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- Stir in chocolate chips.¾ cup (127 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- Spread into prepared 9×9 pan.
- Bake in center rack of 350F (175C) oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out slightly fudgy, but not wet with batter.
- Allow to cool before cutting and serving (they'll be messy and seem underdone otherwise).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
I originally shared this brownie recipe on 02/01/2017. I’ve made small changes to the recipe to make the tops crackly (changed the step for beating the eggs well instead of mixing the batter well as a whole), and I’ve updated some of the photos and added a video and tried to make the post itself more informative.
Yael Ilan-Clarke
Absolutely brilliant recipe. Made if for Christmas dessert (after having previously LOVED the ‘worst choc chip cookies’ recipe. Really delicious and the consistency is brilliantly gooey and moist. Thanks so much!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the homemade brownies just as much as the chocolate chip cookies, Yael! Thank you so much for trying my recipes and for commenting. I appreciate it! 🙂
Britney Jeanne
These are by far the best brownies I’ve ever made and the best I’ve ever tasted.
Brownies are my very favorite dessert and I’m so happy found this. Thank you.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Britney! Sunday was national brownie day, I am glad you celebrated with my recipe and you enjoyed them. 🙂
Britney
These are by far the best brownies I’ve ever made and the best I’ve ever tasted.
Brownies are my very favorite dessert and I’m so happy found this. Thank you.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you, Britney! I am so glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Ashley B
Simple and delicious! Perfect for a chocolate craving.
Sugar Spun Run
I couldn’t agree more! Brownies are the perfect cure for the chocolate craving. I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Ashley! 🙂
Michelle Zoppa
Excellent flavor! Love it.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the brownies, Michelle! 🙂
Tamara
True to their name! Literally the best brownies ever! My family tore then up. Within 24 hrs only 2 had survived and we are a family of 3! Thanks for the amazing recipe!!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your family devoured the brownies and enjoyed them, Tamara! Thank you for trying my recipe! 🙂
Tami
The best brownies I have ever made! My family loves them ❤️
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Tami! I am so glad that everyone enjoyed them. 🙂
Clayton Melo de Barros
Loved this recipe.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Clayton! I am glad that the brownies were a hit! 🙂
Chris H
Loved this recipe!!!
Could these be frozen and defrosted for another day?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Chris! I am so glad that you enjoyed them! I have never frozen brownies before, however, others have and had success. I recommend that you wrap cooled, cut brownies in 2-3 layers of plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe, air-tight container in the freezer. Enjoy! 🙂
Marcia
How long can you store the batter?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Marcia! You can keep it in the refrigerator and use it within 24 hours. 🙂
sami
this recipe worked very well in math class
Sam
Glad to hear it, Sami! 🙂
Melissa
My son said “best brownies you’ve ever made mom” we will definitely make them again! Both of my boys loved them! Thank you
Sugar Spun Run
I’m so glad to hear that your boys loved them, Melissa! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Arushi I
These were pretty yummy, but I only put in half the amount of instant coffee and it was more than enough. These were the fudgiest brownies I’ve ever had- so fudgy and moist that you couldn’t pick one up without it falling apart. My Family and I enjoyed it but if you aren’t totally in love with ultra, ultra fudgy things, I would recommend a different recipe.
Sam
Oh yeah they are definitely a fudgy brownie! They shouldn’t be falling apart once they cool, though, they may have just needed another minute or so in the oven. Glad you enjoyed the brownies, Arushi!
Mary Glanton
If you haven’t tried any of these recipes, please do. Every single recipe from sugarspunrun is absolutely the best. I did take the time to chill and the brownies are the best I’ve ever made, thank-you. You never disappoint.
Mary
Sugar Spun Run
Oh, Mary, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I really appreciate your kind words and am so happy that you enjoy my recipes. Thanks again for your sweet comment. Happy Baking. 🙂
Lynn
Best Brownies Ever!!!
I was looking for a brownie recipe and found yours. Just made these and man…these are the best brownies I ever had! Only mistake I made was not doubling or tripling the recipe. I’ll be making these brownies for our Christmas play. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the Brownies, Lynn! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Kate
They are the best! Thank you for the recipe. I am sharing it with everyone I know.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Kate! I am so glad that you enjoyed the homemade brownies. Thanks for commenting and sharing the recipe. 🙂