Perfect Fudgy Brownies Recipe

The other day I needed to make a treat for our church Christmas party. Thanks to Pinterest, I saw these adorable brownies from The Idea Room (the image source) — they’re the perfect fudgy brownies!

Perfect!  I happened to have a huge bag of Peppermint kisses from another project, and since I didn’t want to eat them, I thought this would be a great way to use them up.  Then, I realized I didn’t have a brownie mix.  BUMMER!

I decided to look online for a recipe, because honestly people used to make things without a mix all the time, right?… and hit it right on the head the first time! Unfortunately, I didn’t take them all to the party… and I ate rest of them…  Good thing it is almost new years… cuz I am in the mood for some solid resolutions.

Perfect Fudge Brownies Every Time

Who needs brownie mixes when all you need for this recipe are a few basic ingredients?

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan, or spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.

In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, and cocoa.  Add eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Stir in 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared baking pan (or cupcakes no more than 12)

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes for 8x8pan and 20-22 minutes for muffin tin. Do not overcook.

How to Store Homemade Brownies

Store brownies in an airtight container, ziploc bag (or wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap) for up to 4 days at room temperature. Freeze brownies for up to 3 months.

You can also wrap the entire pan of brownies with foil or plastic wrap if they’re not yet sliced.

Tips for the Perfect Brownies

These are called perfect fudgy brownies for a reason — they really are the best brownies with decadent fudginess just as they are. But there are a few tips that will make sure you get the best results when you bake up these fudgy treats.

• Storage – When storing these brownies, separate them with parchment paper or wax paper so that they do not stick together.
• Toothpick test – To determine if brownies are finished baking, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean (save for a few moist crumbs), they are ready to be removed.
• Mixing – When mixing the ingredients, be sure to use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl in order to incorporate all ingredients.
• Butter – When baking with butter it’s best to use unsalted butter. You can always add some flakes of sea salt after baking if you want a salty/sweet combination.

Serving Suggestions

While these fudgy brownies are delicious all on their own, you can also serve them aside some other sweets or beverages.

• Frozen treats – A simple scoop of vanilla ice cream is great on top of these brownies or you can choose your own favorite flavor of ice cream or gelato.

Variations on Perfect Fudgy Brownies

This easy brownie recipe has the perfect rich chocolate flavor and fudgy texture but you can switch things up, too.

• Chips – Gently fold in an extra cup of chocolate chips (either milk chocolate or dark chocolate) for chocolate chunks in your brownies, or sprinkle a handful of peanut butter chips, before pouring the brownie batter into the pan.
• Nuts – Adding crushed nuts to the batter, or pressing them into the top of the freshly baked brownies adds the perfect texture.
• Espresso powder – Add this (or coffee extract) for extra flavor.
• Chocolate – Garnish the brownies by melting dark, milk, or white chocolate and then drizzling the melted chocolate over the brownies.

**By the way I have been wanting to buy one of the brownie baking dishes, that are “all ends” or corners or sides…. ( that is my favorite part, but I am no longer going to buy one…) I found out that a muffin/cupcake pan is perfect, and that I don’t need one extra pan… So give it a try if you like brownie edges!  (and they are perfectly portioned!)

Perfect Fudge Brownies Every Time

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan, or spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.
• In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, and cocoa.  Add eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Stir in 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan (or cupcakes no more than 12)
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes for 8x8pan and 20-22 minutes for muffin tin. Do not overcook.
• **By the way I have been wanting to buy one of the brownie baking dishes, that are “all ends” or corners or sides…. ( that is my favorite part, but I am no longer going to buy one…) I found out that a muffin/cupcake pan is perfect, and that I don’t need one extra pan… So give it a try if you like brownie edges!  (and they are perfectly portioned!)

What have you all been cooking?

Cassity Kmetzsch

Website | + posts

Food memories are a big part of our family. We love having a big family party and making great food, or heading to Disneyland and trying all the things. Why not allow food to be a happy part of your life. That is what this blog is about. I hope you enjoy our recipes.

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