These Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies will change your life. Skip the box mix because this chocolate brownie recipe is so fudgy and delicious. My family asks for these easy homemade brownies all the time!!!
Homemade Brownies with Chocolate Chips
What is your baking style? Do you like plain desserts or jazzed up desserts? I'm team jazz all the way!!!
I like to embellish these chocolate chip brownies with extra candy and toppings. But my family asks for "plain" brownies or chocolate chip cookies all the time.
Did you know you can find old church cookbooks at Goodwill? They are full of great ideas when you get in a baking slump.
I was flipping through one of these books the other night, and I came across a recipe for homemade fudgy brownies.
Most of the time I am more of a baking mix kind of a baker. I enjoy taking pre-packaged mixes and using baking magic to transform them into a semi-homemade dessert with flair. But this fudgy brownie recipe had me intrigued.
I went ahead and followed the directions exactly for the homemade brownies from scratch because I wanted to see if I liked them, or if the recipe needed some extra love. They tasted great, but they did not have that rich dark chocolate color that I was looking for.
For the second batch I tried the easy chocolate brownie recipe with dark cocoa powder instead of baking chocolate. The end result was a chewy brownie texture and the dark chocolate color that I had in mind. Trust me, you will want to make these ASAP!
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter - Gives the moisture and fat needed for brownies. Melting the butter before adding it to the sugar stops air bubbles from forming when you beat them together. This keeps the brownies from rising too much and baking fluffy.
- Dark Cocoa Powder - Gives these brownies the rich dark chocolate color.
- Eggs - The protein in eggs brings the brownies together as it bakes and adds richness and tenderness.
- Sugar - Sweetens the brownies, and also makes the brownies light and tender.
- Vanilla Extract and Salt - Adds flavor and balances out the sweetness.
- Flour - Adds structure to the brownie recipe. We want the brownies to be dense and fudgy, so you will not use a lot.
- Baking Powder - Just a little bit gives the lift you need in these fudgy brownies.
How to make Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies
We have had this brownie recipe on repeat for years now. All you need are a few basic pantry ingredients and a mixing bowl.
- Line a pan with foil or parchment. This makes it easier to lift the brownies out of the pan later.
- Melt the butter and whisk in the cocoa powder. Let it cool slightly.
- Beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla until light and frothy.
- Pour the cooled butter and cocoa mixture into the eggs and beat it again.
- Stir together the dry ingredients and slowly mix them into the batter.
- Stir in the chocolate chips or any other mix in you like.
- The chocolate chip brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with some sticky crumbs on it. Let the chocolate chip brownies cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into them.
Other Brownie Mix-ins
Chewy, chocolate brownies are delicious, but try changing them up with some of the extra ingredients.
- Chocolate Chips - white, milk, dark
- Nuts - walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts
- Toffee Bits
- Candy - M&M's, Reese's Pieces, Peanut Butter Cups
- Cookies - Oreos, Nutter Butters
Recipe Questions:
How do you cut brownies cleanly?
- Let them cool completely. Warm brownies fall apart easily.
- Use a warm knife and clean it in between cuts.
- Chill the pan of brownies in the refrigerator before cutting them.
What makes the top of homemade brownies flaky?
Beating the eggs and white sugar longer results in a flaky crackly brownie top when it comes out of the oven. This increases the top layer which is actually just a meringue.
More brownie recipes:
- Coffee Brownies
- Reese's Brownies
- Marshmallow Brownies
- M&M Brownies
- Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies - easy copycat
- Dark Chocolate Brownies
- Brownie Dessert
Other easy dessert recipes:
- Homemade Butterfinger
- Congo Bars
- Chocolate Lava Mug Cake
- Oreo Pudding Pie
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Coconut Chocolate Pie
- Blonde Brownies
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies Recipe
A pan of these Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies will satisfy any and all chocolate craving you may encounter. This fudgy homemade brownie recipe is easy to make and tastes great.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- powdered sugar, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking pan with foil and then spray with nonstick baking spray. (the foil is optional)
- Whisk together the melted butter and cocoa powder and set aside.
- Beat the eggs until light in color. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat again.
- Add the chocolate butter mixture into the eggs and beat until mixed in.
- Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder and slowly add to the egg mixture. Do not over beat.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips by hand.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool completely before cutting into 9 squares. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 339Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 150mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 1gSugar: 41gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies was first published on September 29, 2013. The photos were re-edited and republished on March 16, 2021.
Lori H.
I found this recipe tonight and made it. Hands down the absolute BEST brownie recipe I've ever made! I did have to make one slight adjustment; due to baking so much over the past couple of weeks I was just shy of 1/4 cup of cocoa (eek!) so I melted just a handful of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with the butter in the microwave to supplement the chocolate. Also, your advice regarding beating the eggs/egg mixture longer made a clear difference to ME (I have recently made another brownie recipe that was a flop). I beat the eggs/sugar until it resembled my usual pound cake batter. The top of the brownies came out shiny! and crinkly! And for once in a long time I did NOT overbake them. LOL Your advice was so helpful and clear. I think I've been looking for a clean toothpick as opposed to some crumbs, so my brownies have been dry. So in love with this recipe. Thanks so much.
Jocelyn
Wow! Thank you so much for the awesome review! I am so glad you enjoyed the brownies and used all the tips. They are a family favorite here too. 🙂
Oluseyi
How long do these last for in the fridge?
Jocelyn
We usually keep a tightly covered pan of brownies on the counter for 3-4 days. If you are going to refrigerate them, make sure the container or bag is tightly sealed, so they don't dry out. This way they should last for 4-5 days. You can pop a square in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up and get that "fresh from the oven" taste. I hope that helps and you enjoy the brownies!
Kim
Oh. My. Gosh. I made these for my husband's 60th birthday. I was hesitant to try a new recipe on his special day, but no more. I used chocolate chips and added chopped walnuts. I sprinkled with a light dusting of powdered sugar just for a little flair. Pretty much the only thing I did differently was that I baked the brownies in an individual square "cupcakes" pan in paper cups. Next time I will use my silicon cupcake holders as they don't stick at all to the cakes. What made this a good idea is that the individual cakes give that little crispness on the edges. They are "to die for!" 😀
Soridalys Cruz Torres
Hi- how long for your tool to bake? He recipe said 25-30 minutes but we honestly had ours over 40 minutes and they kept coming out undercooked in the middle. We used same type of pan. Unsure why they took so long.
Jocelyn
Brownies will continue to bake and set up after you take them out of the oven. What size pan did you use and also what type...glass or metal? I have used this recipe in both types of pans and have never bake them longer than 28-30 minutes. Did you try them after they had cooled all the way?
Dre
Is there a way to make them more chewy? I feel I did all the steps correctly but the brownies came out more like cake. Thank you. <3
Jocelyn
How long did you bake them? We honestly make these brownies all the time, and I've never had them be cakey. In fact, they are always soft, chewy, and fudgy. I'm wondering if your oven runs just a little hotter than mine, so you might need to pull them out a little sooner. Also, what type of pan did you use? Glass or metal? Sometimes different pans can make brownies bake differently. Although, for this recipe, I have used both types and not seen a huge difference in texture.
Ryan
Made these yesterday but change it so much it's essentially just ratios and measurements that I used.
What I changed for fun was
Almond instead of vanilla flavoring + doubled amount.
Used dark brown sugar instead of white. Whipped that with the cocoa and butter plus 1/8c milk Then two eggs and whipped til as near as could to peaks forming then added the flour and whipped again until light and fluffy.
Then I folded In a handful plus a few milk chocolate chips and an equal to slightly lesser amount of espresso chips and topped with walnuts then baked according to this recipe.
Obviously my changes gave it more of a cake texture. It's a very dense looking texture but melts in your mouth. I'm also about 98% sure I omitted the backing powder by accident.
Jocelyn
Way to be creative with the recipe! It sounds delicious!!!
isabela
does this recipe really work like that
Jocelyn
Yes, it does! I use this recipe for all my brownie creations!
Brownie lover
What do I do if I do not want to put my butter in a cup?
The brownie looks great.
Thanks,
Jocelyn
I'm not sure what you mean? In order to melt the butter, you need to place it in a cup...or melt it in a pan on the stove.
Lilian-Anne Gutierrez
Made these tonight. Oh my, they were decadent!!! Added choc chips ontop of mine after they were cooked as well as in the batter, so good!!
Candice
These were absolutely delicious. Don’t need the powdered sugar. New family favorite
Leia
Hi! Great receipt! This was my first “from scratch” batch of brownies, not made with the box. I used Ghiridelli cocoa & chips & these are by far the best I’ve ever had! I’ll be trying more of your recipes!
Loren
I've made MANY many brownie recipes of all varieties, and this is one of the best cocoa-based brownie recipes I've ever tried! Delicious! Thanks for posting!
John Osborn
This might be a good recipe but it is quite possibly the worst website and instructions I have ever fought through. Most of this page is basically nonsense, to include the directions before the ingredients. I hope to never have to come back to this page again.
Jocelyn
I guess you missed the big JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the page??? One click and it takes you right to the printable recipe card. I don't know how much easier I can make it for you...
Lovely layla
Trying this recipe tonight! Can't wait to taste the goodness! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Josefina
Hi! I just wanted to thank you for sharing this amazing recipe, this was my first time making brownies from scratch and these are by far the best i've ever tasted... ever!!!
A hug from Chile
Josefina.
Rosemarie Groner
These look amazing! Tying my apron on now! Thanks for the post!
Pamila
Going to make these hoping doubling the recipe works. I am very excited. I work with a group called piecemakers we make quilts for cancer patient to bring them God's word and comfort while they are dealing with chemo and all the other trials of fighting the beast.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I have doubled the recipe before using a 9x13 baking pan. I hope your group enjoys the brownies!!!
Always Nesting
My favorite words - easy and chocolate. Can't wait to make these and I love it that the ingredients are pantry friendly.
Linda White
Been putting chocolate chips in my brownie recipe for years and we love the that way! I put 1 cup of regular size chips in mine though! My recipe calls for 3 eggs.
Ala
I'm just dying over these, I can't wait to get my chocolate on again this week! I bet you're feeling the same way, aren't you glad you went the plain (but absolutely decadent) route this time? 😀 I know I am!
Audrey
The recipe says add 1/4 cup hot chocolate to eggs. Is this 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips melted??
Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Sorry that wasn't clear...you are going to add some of the melted chocolate mixture into the eggs to temper them. I changed the directions to say that better. I hope you enjoy the brownies!
Sandy
I have made these twice now and with fantastic results. I did make a substitution though. I used half brown sugar and half white. Amazing brownies. I will NOT use a boxed mix again. Thank you!!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Woo hoo! I am so glad to hear that! These brownies have converted me from box mixes too! Great substitution using half and half sugar...I usually do that in most of my baking too, but not in these. I will have to try it 🙂
Rachel
I just made these tonight! They made my kitchen smell amazing.
Cant wait to try them!
Thanks! 🙂
-your faithful reader in Taipei, Taiwan
Courtney
I just made these I skipped the chocolate chips and added crushed candy canes to fit the holiday season. I am so excited I have never actually made brownies from scratch before. I make everything else from scratch so I am very excited!! 5 minutes left on the timer!
Ariel
I am confused, the directions say to mix in hot chocolate but it isn't listed in the ingredients? Am I reading this wrong? Can you elaborate for me? Thanks- these look delicious and I am anxious to make them!
Jocelyn Brubaker
There is no hot chocolate mix in these brownies. You need to stir in the melted butter that has the cocoa powder in it...hot chocolate 🙂
Rosanna
Best homemade brownie recipe!!! Thanks for posting 🙂
Amy Huntley
MMMM! I think Brownies are by far one of my favorite desserts! These look so good!
Jocelyn Brubaker
One of mine too! Thanks Amy!
Renee @ Awesome on $20
I think you showed great restraint in the plain department. 😉 I'm interested to try this recipe. My favorite brownies are made with melted chocolate, but cocoa powder is usually cheaper, so I'm always on the hunt for a good cocoa brownie.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I did too! Lol! Thanks Renee!!
Laura@baking in pyjamas
I love the idea of putting chocolate chips into the brownies, I shall bare that in mind next time I bake a batch. Delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Laura!! 🙂
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
These brownies are absolute perfection! I desperately need a brownie fix right now at 11:11PM!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Chung-Ah!! 😉
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
I love a good homemade brownie - these look perfect, Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Ashley!! 😉
Jelli
I love both box mix brownies and homemade. The only brownie I don't like is the type that's way too cakey and not chocolatey enough. I do have a problem with your recipe: an 8x8" pan of brownies is just never enough!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Jocelyn. I like to look through those old cookbooks too. My mother has quite a few at her house.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm not that into cakey brownies either, bring on the gooeyness! 😉 Thanks Jelli!
Emily
Jocelyn these look divine! I'm a huge brownie fan and I suffer from the same problem of overloading my goodies when all my hubby wants is simple 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
It must be something all of us crazy bakers experience!! 😉 Thanks Emily!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
What amazing brownies, I will be slapping anyone's hands away that tries to take my brownies away! 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha! Thank you Pamela!! 🙂
Stephanie @ PlainChicken
I love brownies. These look amazing. The only thing that could make them better is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Mmmm, now that sounds divine!! Thanks Stephanie!! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
Nothing beats a good homemade brownie!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Agreed! Thanks Ashley!! 🙂
Chels R.
Oh how I love a good brownie. Doctored or not, I love em!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Meeee toooo!! 😉
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
Whenever I visit my parents they always ask for just plain chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or "yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting". They love my other inventions, but classics are always fun too! I love these brownies: I am constantly on the hunt for the best brownie recipe. I'll have to add this to the list of contenders! 😀
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Jess!! Glad I could help! 😉
Auntiepatch
Kids! What do they know?! I love everything you come up with!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, right?! 😉 thank you so much!!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
In the past, I have made brownies from scratch ... my family likes the boxed mix! I will try your recipe ... it sounds better that the ones I've used in the past 🙂 My family likes plain too.
Jocelyn Brubaker
There's just something about that boxed mix! 🙂 Thanks Brenda!
Nancy p.@thebittersideofsweet
I sometimes prefer homemade over box, it is a toss up! These look wonderful!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Nancy!! 😉
Gina
Oh my goodness Jocelyn - these look perfect. I so love brownies- I could eat the whole tray if no one was around to stop me.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Gina! You and me both!! 🙂
Madison
YUM YUM YUM! You cannot beat a good, old fashioned brownie. These look like the best!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Madison!! 😉
Tieghan
HA, I am just like you and your family sound just like mine. They are always asking for chocolate chip cookies and simple brownies and cakes. I am into over the top and they are more simple. LOL!
Love these brownies! I always add chocolate chips to mine too!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha! 😉 Thanks Tieghan!
Marcie
These "plain" brownies are gorgeous, moist and chocolatey. There's really nothing plain about them! I can tell just by looking at them that they're perfect without any candy embellishments!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Marcie!! 😉
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
These look incredibly fudgey!!! I feel like I am always adding "flare" to my recipes and my boyfriend is like, this is good but I would prefer it without the this and that. Umph. Whatever. Hahah.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha! What is with these people of ours not wanting all the delicious extras?? 😉
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
Love these Jocelyn!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Dorothy!! 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I was just on Sally's blog and she made stuffed brownies. Now these. Wow, the universe really wants me to make brownies today. Pinned 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I really think brownies are in your future 🙂
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
I love finding old cookbooks as well... So many ideas out there! These brownies look amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Laura!! 😉
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
My family asks for plain things too ... what is this? My baking list is SOOOO long now, too (thanks to PInterest:) And I love our boxed brownie mix and "updating it" to be blogworthy. 🙂 Its a problem. But seriously, these look perfect. Fudgy, full of chocolate chips, sprinkled with powdered sugar - ready to take on any chocolate craving!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, I know! Crazy people 😉 Thank you so much Mary!
Erin | The Emerging Foodie
Well hello there, beautiful brownies! These look delicious, Jocelyn! And I love the idea of old church cookbooks. Those have some gems in them! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Erin!! They certainly do! 😉