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Easy Homemade Brownies (8 Pantry Ingredients)

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These easy homemade brownies yield supremely chewy, fudgey, perfectly balanced brownies. Using only 8 simple pantry ingredients and a hand whisk, you’ll learn how to make brownies that are better than the box. 

dark chocolate brownies with sea salt

Easy, fudgey Homemade Brownies

One [very big] bite of luscious, fudgey brownies was all it took for me to know these salted dark chocolate brownies are going straight into my keeper-files.

Here’s why these chewy, fudgey chocolate brownies disappeared in a nanosecond:

  1. Chewy and fudgey. No other explanation needed there.
  2. These brownies are über chocolatey and rich, which is the only reason anyone eats brownies
  3. These brownies are crazy-easy to make. They might be the easiest homemade brownies I’ve ever made. No special tools needed, no mixer, no stovetop mess.
  4. The bit of coarse salt is a stunning balance for the sweetness. Not overly sweet — simply perfect.
  5. You only need 8 simple pantry ingredients. 
  6. Your people will really really like you for making these brownies.

dark chocolate brownies cut into squares

Why These are the Easiest Brownies

  • There are only 8 ingredients or less in this luscious brownie batter
  • All ingredients are basic pantry staples; nothing hard to find
  • The butter is melted simply by microwaving; no stovetop or pans needed
  • The only tool you need is a hand whisk; no stand mixer, electric hand held mixer, or anything that needs to be plugged in

Variations and Ingredient Substitutions

  • Yes, these are technically dark chocolate brownies using bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips, but feel free to use your favorite combination of chocolate chips.
  • Feel free to add chopped pecans or walnuts, if you like a bit of texture
  • If you’d like to use salted butter, omit the 1/4 tsp kosher salt.
  • Again, these brownies were designed with flaky sea salt as a topping, but feel free to forgo the sprinkling of salt for a few dashes of powdered sugar.

fudge brownies chewy squares

Plan Ahead/Make Ahead

  • Dry mixture can be prepared ahead of time and used when ready to make the batter. Simply combine the flour, cocoa powder, and kosher salt in a bowl with lid. Keep at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks.
  • Melt butter earlier in the day and let sit at room temperature so you can eliminate wait time when you’re ready to mix the batter.
  • Take eggs out to rest at room temperature ahead of time, as they need to be room temp in order to mix correctly.
  • Brownies can be baked the day before, let cool to room temperature, and covered until ready to slice the next day.

Other Treats to Bake and Eat:

Try this 4-Ingredient Homemade Salted Caramel, too:

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Easy Brownies Recipe

★★★

3 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Chew Out Loud
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 28 mins
  • Total Time: 38 mins
  • Yield: 12 1x
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Description

This super easy Brownies Recipe yields a supremely chewy, fudgey, perfectly balanced pan of brownies. Dark chocolate and coarse salt make them taste like a restaurant indulgence, but you only need a handful of simple ingredients. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temp
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Optional: coarse or flaky salt, coarse sugar, or powdered sugar for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Generously spray an 8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and kosher salt. Set aside.
  3. In a microwavable bowl, melt butter in microwave in 20 second increments until just melted. Whisk in the sugar and vanilla, stirring to combine well. Whisk in eggs, stirring until fully incorporated and smooth.
  4. Use rubber spatula to fold flour mixture with butter mixture until just a few streaks of dry ingredients remain. Gently fold in the chocolate chips. Transfer batter evenly into greased baking dish, ensuring edges are filled evenly. Bake 28 minutes or just until toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few tender crumbs attached. Do not over-bake.
  5. Remove pan from oven and immediately sprinkle a light layer of turbinado sugar evenly on top followed by light sprinkle of flaky sea salt evenly distributed on top, if desired. Let cool completely in pan before cutting into squares. Serve at moderate room temp.

Notes

If using powdered sugar on top, wait until brownies are completely cool first.

Use bittersweet or dark chocolate chips for dark chocolate brownies.

Add chopped walnuts or pecans, if you like.

If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡

  • Category: dessert, brownies, chocolate
  • Method: baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: brownies, dark chocolate brownies

Reader Interactions

Comments

  13. Chique says

    Love your term ‘middle little’. The recipe does look delicious but next on my list is a 4 ingredient brownie to bake w my littlest little Love that giada book! i feel the same way when i get a new RRay book

    Reply

  25. 21flavorsofsplendor says

    These brownies look so yummy! I would totally do something similar if I was trying to go sugarless. Lol!

    Reply

  55. Leta Whipple says

    I am following Chewoutloud on instagram. I have made the pumpkin cheesecake several times and the White chocolate Raspberry cheesecake won first place in desserts at our family reunion last year

    Reply

  65. justbusylovinglife says

    This is so wrong of you to post this right after I started the 80 day challenge!! Totally bookmarking it for the refuel day though!

    Reply

  80. Catvills says

    I just love chewy brownies. I am going to try your recipe this weekend. I have to make a huge batch though because my nephew and nieces will be visiting. I have to make sure they leave some for me!

    Reply

  87. Indu says

    Salted dark chocolate brownies look fabulous. I am sure these will be equally delicious too. I have to try these for sure. More so when your recipe is at hand.

    Reply

  91. uprunforlife says

    These brownies look amazing. I’m not usually a fan of salted stuff. But these look like they are perfect blend of chocolate and salt.

    Reply

  92. Nati says

    you had me a slated black chocolate! I think this will definitely be a hit at home!
    I have food allergies , and other allergies too (pollen, animal fur, wheat flower, dust mites, etc) so I would be really interested to know if the sugarless diet has any impact on that?

    Reply

  93. Carol Edmiston says

    I love receiving and trying new recipes from Chew Out Loud!! I joined your Facebook page, already following on Pinterest, and now following on Instagram – excited!! Also subscribed, though I thought I already was. I just ordered Giada’s Italy for my sister for her birthday this month and because she lives far away…I definitely need my own copy!!

    Reply

  104. patwagne says

    Thanks for sharing what looks like a delicious recipe–salted dark chocolate brownies. Ah . . . chewy and fudgey . . .yum.

    Reply

  109. Elizabeth O says

    Oh wow these dark chocolate brownies look incredible. Dark chocolate is definitely a hit with me so would really like to try these myself. Great recipe thank you for sharing with us.

    Reply

  121. Geena O'Banion says

    I know those Italian’s cooking far surpasses ours here in the US. Would love to win that recipe book and the $50. I liked you……..on Facebook…..and I thank you for the opportunity.

    Reply

  165. Lisa Rios says

    If there’s anything I love more than dark chocolate it’s salted dark chocolate! This looks like the BEST recipe ever.

    Reply

  226. jennifer says

    These brownies look so delicious I feel like I need to go home and make them right now. Is there a brand of unsweetened cocoa powder you like to use?

    Also, I’m following on Facebook!

    Reply

  305. Elizabeth says

    Hello! I recently made these brownies and while the flavor is delicious, the texture was fairly dry and cakey. I would recommend reducing the baking time to 20-25 minutes max. Just my two cents. Thanks! 🙂

    ★★★

    Reply

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