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    Home » Desserts » Best and Easiest Brownies

    Best and Easiest Brownies

    Lainey in the kitchen holding a cupcake pan with glasses
    Modified: May 5, 2026 · Published: Jan 4, 2017 by Lainey · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments
    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

    After years of testing, this is the best fudgy brownie recipe I’ve perfected. Get bakery quality results with this simple one-bowl method that ensures a thick, chocolate loaded center every time.

    If you love anything chocolate you will love my Famous Chocolate Oreo Ice Cream!

    3 brownies stacked

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Rich and fudgy texture
    • Easy homemade brownie recipe
    • Made with simple pantry ingredients
    • Crackly brownie tops
    • Beginner friendly
    • Perfect balance of chewy and chocolatey
    • Great for holidays, parties, or everyday baking

    Directions

    Preheat the oven to 350 F, prepare the pan by generously coating the pan with oil, and set aside. In a large bowl, add the melted butter and melt for about 30 seconds on high heat.

    Next, add the granulated sugar to the melted butter and mix until combined. Add in the eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix until everything is well combined:

    Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, and using a wire whisk, mix until well combined:

    Pour the brownie batter into a greased pan or baking dish:

    You can tap tap the baking pan or baking dish gently onto your table to let out the air bubbles and make the brownie batter level:

    Bake for 25-30 minutes and voila! You now have a delicious and easy brownie masterpiece!

    girl holding a piece of cut brownies

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you make brownies fudgy instead of cakey?

    Fudgy brownies use a higher fat-to-flour ratio, which creates a denser and softer texture.

    Can I freeze brownies?

    Yes. Let the brownies cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

    Why do brownies get a crackly top?

    The crackly top comes from properly mixing the sugar, butter, and eggs together before adding the dry ingredients.

    How to Store Brownies

    Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also refrigerate them for a firmer texture.

    brownies sliced in a pan
    4 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Recipe

    Best and Easiest Brownies

    Master the ultimate thick and fudgy brownies with my tested and proven recipe. This 1 bowl chocolate brownie method is designed for foolproof results, delivering the rich texture you crave in minutes.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Desserts
    Cuisine: Fusion (American-Filipino/Asian)
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 181kcal
    Author: Lainey
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter melted
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ cup all purpose flour
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with oil or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, microwave the melted butter for about 30 seconds until fully melted. Add the granulated sugar and mix until combined.
    • Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
    • Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until the batter is fully combined.
    • Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
    • Let the brownies cool before slicing and serving.
    Leave a Comment

    Notes

    Tips for the Best Brownies

    • Do not overmix the batter or the brownies can become cakey.
    • Slightly underbake the brownies for a fudgier texture.
    • Let the brownies cool completely before cutting for cleaner slices.
    • Use good quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.

     

    Serving: 1gCalories: 181kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 172mgPotassium: 73mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 368IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
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    Did you make this recipe?Share it on instagram or tag @simplybakings or #simplybakings!

    I have always loved Brownies! If you have been here on my blog and YouTube channel for a while, you will know that my love for brownies eaten with ice cream is superb 🙂

    Get your vanilla ice cream and eat it with this Best and Easiest Brownies, the Simply Bakings way!

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    Comments

      4 from 8 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. jenny says

      September 06, 2017 at 11:52 pm

      Hi,
      This is the first time I bake your recipe. My batter is thicker than yours. I just bake 15 minute not to over bake it and it came out cooked and didn't look like yours at all. Not so soft and with little crust on it. It tastes o.k. . I tried a lot Brownies recipe. But this recipe is not the best recipe for me. I have a better one with a thin crust.

      Reply
      • Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says

        April 02, 2026 at 3:16 pm

        Hello Jenny! I apologize for the delayed response. Thank you for trying the recipe. The batter might have been thicker because of how the ingredients are measured. The flour and cocoa are especially tricky. Both shift the feel and surface of the brownies. But I understand. Everyone has their own perfect brownie. I appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your thoughts though 😊

        Reply
    2. Sandra says

      September 27, 2017 at 4:49 pm

      You don't specify pan size...

      Reply
      • Cheryl says

        December 24, 2017 at 12:26 pm

        In the video, the pan looks like a 9x9 size.

        Reply
        • Anonymous says

          February 17, 2018 at 10:57 pm

          well, no body cares

          Reply
          • Anonymous says

            February 17, 2018 at 10:58 pm

            lol don't be mean

            Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      November 15, 2017 at 9:45 am

      This is the best brownie recipe ever

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        February 17, 2018 at 10:57 pm

        really?

        Reply
      • poooo says

        February 17, 2018 at 11:04 pm

        no

        Reply
        • Demi says

          January 12, 2021 at 2:28 pm

          Hey I was just wondering if anyone know how many calories are in the brownie?

          Reply
    4. EvAnir says

      November 26, 2017 at 11:07 pm

      Just wanting to know if we are using baking soda or powder? 🤔 Ingredients said different from the instructions, thanks ladies

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        December 04, 2017 at 4:11 pm

        I think it’s baking powder

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        February 17, 2018 at 10:57 pm

        poo

        Reply
      • Lainey says

        November 18, 2020 at 12:41 am

        Hello EvAnir,
        Sorry, this recipe has been fixed, it's 1/4 teaspoon baking powder. I'm sorry for the late reply too.

        Reply
    5. Nikki says

      June 10, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      In the video she said the pain was a 8×8.

      Reply
    6. Cath says

      November 13, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      Amazing! This is so yum!

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        August 27, 2020 at 11:30 pm

        Hi Cath, thank you so much. I hope to see your chewy brownies version. Please tag me if you have photos of it. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Tintu says

      November 02, 2019 at 9:46 am

      My brownie was so soft like a cake.How to make it look like brownie?

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        November 18, 2020 at 12:47 am

        Hi Tintu,
        I apologize for the late response. Make sure you use the correct pan size, a 8x8 inch pan or 9x9 inch pan works best. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      February 07, 2020 at 11:02 pm

      Hi how many grams is half cup butter? Can some1 help pls

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        October 02, 2020 at 1:53 am

        Hello there, it's equivalent to 113 grams. Thanks for swinging by. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Sonja says

      February 26, 2020 at 10:17 am

      Great basic brownie recipe. Mine came out really thin and cake-like, baked in an 8 x 8 in pan. However, if you want a 9 x 13 pan you will need to multiply the recipe x 4. Very good.

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        August 27, 2020 at 11:24 pm

        Hi Sonja,
        Thank you for trying out this recipe and for visiting my blog! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      March 25, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      Mine was overbaked at 23 minutes at 350.

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        November 18, 2020 at 12:58 am

        Oh no, I'm so sorry. Oven temperatures varies, so maybe lower the heat to 325. I'm sorry for the late response too.

        Reply
    11. Madison Maylee says

      April 21, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      HORRIBLE!! The recipe made barely any batter to even coat the bottom of my 8x8 pan, i switched it into a 4x4, but my batter was far thicker than the pictures obviously stolen from the real recipe! Tasted unpleasant almost like a sponge cake you’d make in the microwave! Disgusting do not recommend!!!

      Reply
      • Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says

        April 02, 2026 at 3:20 pm

        Hello Madison! I’m sorry to hear it didn’t turn out well...It may be because of the measurements or ingredient substitutions. Small changes can make a difference in the texture. I’d be happy to help troubleshoot if you’d like to give it another try. But thank you very much for your feedback. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. 😁

        Reply
    12. Brenda Clark says

      June 10, 2020 at 9:28 am

      Love this recipe! So easy and great for my grandbaby to help and learn with!
      Butter
      Cups Grams
      1/4 cup of Butter 57 grams
      1/3 cup of Butter 76 grams
      1/2 cup of Butter 113 grams
      1 cup of Butter 227 grams

      8x8 pan and I used baking powder. Works great!

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        August 27, 2020 at 11:38 pm

        Hello Brenda,
        Thank you so much. I'm glad you love this recipe. Yes, this is easy and great for family bonding. I hope you would love my other recipes too.

        Reply
    13. Alex says

      June 13, 2021 at 7:13 pm

      1 star
      These turned out horribly and i Followed the recipe to a T! Do not recommend using this recipe. The batter was thick and there Was very little batter in the end. Cooked for 15 minutes based off of another comment I saw and they We’re so dry still. Do not recommend!

      Reply
      • Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says

        April 02, 2026 at 3:27 pm

        Hi Alex! I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I understand it can be frustrating. But thank you so much for trying this recipe.

        If your batter is thick, that's good. But it should spread evenly in the pan. If it's dry, it might have been overbaked or had too much flour. Also, baking for only 15 minutes won't give the soft, fudgy texture we want with this recipe.

        If you'd like to give this a try again, I'll be happy to troubleshoot with you 😊

        Reply
    14. Allie says

      January 14, 2023 at 5:59 pm

      1 star
      I am an experienced baker and I should’ve known this recipe was going to be a flip given the ratios of ingredients but I tried it anyway. They didn’t raise at all and the flavor just is not great. The directions are poorly written as well. “In large bowl pour melted butter and melt on high heat”…..?

      Reply
      • Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says

        April 02, 2026 at 3:31 pm

        Hi Allie! Thanks for your feedback. I'm sorry it isn't what you were expecting. This recipe is meant for fudgy brownies rather than cakey. As for the instruction, thank you for catching that! I've edited it to make sense. If you'd like to try it again, I'll be happy to troubleshoot with you 😊

        Reply
    15. Lee Perkins says

      June 24, 2025 at 10:47 am

      5 stars
      Made this last week. I was skeptical because it seemed so easy. Brownies turned out great. How do I convert to gluten free

      Reply
      • Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says

        April 02, 2026 at 3:35 pm

        Hi Lee! That's great. I'm glad it turned out well for you 😁 To make it gluten-free, replace the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Add a bit of xanthan gum if yours is missing. It helps you get the right feel. Let me know if you like this version!

        Reply
    16. Maddie S says

      March 30, 2026 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      I don't know why this doesn't work for everyone! I keep making this and it turns out well every time! Keep it up, Lainey

      Reply
      • Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says

        April 02, 2026 at 3:36 pm

        I'm glad, Maddie! Thank you for the feedback. I'm glad it worked out well for you! 😊

        Reply

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