One bite of these chocolate-loaded brownies, and you’ll understand why we call them the best.
These brownies get ALL the points. They are flawless. The texture strikes that perfect balance between fluffy and dense. Chocolate abounds in every direction, from the cocoa powder to the dark chocolate chips, and yet, you’re not overwhelmed by the flavor. If anything, eating one brownie only leaves me wanting more. As for the baker (that’s you), you will pinch yourself upon removing them from the oven to let them cool, convinced a dessert as decadent as this should require more time and effort.
I’ve featured many recipes for brownies on the site: some for special occasions, some with decorations, and others with unconventional ingredients. But I’d never focused on just making the best classic brownies possible, so this recipe was a long time coming. If you want a delicious yet simple dessert for your family, then you’ll love this recipe for honest-to-goodness brownies. No frills, no fancy touches—just truly the best brownies.
Mix-ins & toppings for unforgettable brownies
There are many ways to make these brownies your own. The obvious choice is more chocolate chips sprinkled atop the brownie batter, though you may want to switch them up with white chocolate or milk chocolate chips. You could also try topping the batter with toasted coconut or freeze-dried strawberries. After baking, you can take them over the top with a layer of rich chocolate ganache or a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries.
If you want to use other ingredients in the batter, consider adding chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds), dried fruits (cherries, cranberries), mini marshmallows, a caramel, peanut butter, or cream cheese swirl, peppermint extract, an assortment of spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger), or even espresso powder. For a sweet-and-salty twist, try folding in crushed pretzels—trust me, the crunch and savory note make them even more irresistible.
How do I store leftovers?
If you have yet to cut into the brownies, just cover the pan with aluminum foil and leave it on the counter for up to 4 days. While some suggest you can keep the brownies in the fridge, I find they dry out faster in there, so if I want to keep them around longer than a few days, I freeze them. First I wrap them in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. They should keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature.
Serving suggestions
As I said earlier, I’ve produced so many brownie recipes, I sometimes forget which ones I’ve made! That’s why I like this section; it lets me revisit past desserts. If this recipe has got you jonesing for more, try out Strawberry-Frosted Heart-Shaped Brownies—they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day (or whenever you can’t decide between strawberry or chocolate). Or you can load them up with all the fixings and make my Game-Day Halftime Brownies. There’s a lot on them, so be sure to stretch before you lift them out of the pan! Or if peanut butter is your thing, make these Decadent Dark-Chocolate Brownies With Fluffy Peanut-Butter Frosting.
Best Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder sifted, if lumpy
- ½ cup powdered sugar sifted, if lumpy
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup canola oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Lightly coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, and sea salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, water, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Enjoy your homemade treat!
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