These One-Bowl Brownies are so much better than box mix brownies! They have a delicious chocolate flavor and fudgy centers, making them irresistible. All you need is 9 simple ingredients, 1 bowl for mixing, and just under 1 hour to make them. Baking brownies doesn’t get any easier than that!
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What is more comforting than a rich homemade, fudgy brownie. Perhaps, if you're into savory dishes, but when it comes to desserts, brownies are the winners in our home (especially when warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream).
I’m excited to share these one-bowl brownies with you, which are perfect for any weeknight treat or celebration! As much as I love white chocolate chip brownies and Nutella brownies, these easy one-bowl brownies skip the process of melting chocolate with butter. All you need is 10 minutes (not even!) to prep the brownie batter for baking, and the cleanup is minimal!
Ingredients You'll Need
- All-purpose flour: Regular, all-purpose flour will do the trick. I always use unbleached and unbromated flour (King Arthur flour is my go-to!)
- Cocoa powder: You can use either natural cocoa powder (a robust and more bitter chocolate flavor) or Dutch-process cocoa powder, which has a more mellow flavor (my preferred choice for these brownies).
- Sugar: We’re using a combination of granulated sugar and powdered sugar to sweeten the brownies and create a gooey texture. Powdered sugar contains cornstarch, which helps thicken the batter to the perfect consistency (box brownie mix contains additives, and the cornstarch replaces this!).
- Salt: Just a bit to help enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Chocolate: I love using chopped chocolate for a richer flavor. A good-quality semi-sweet chocolate bar will do. You can substitute with ⅔ cup chocolate chips if you like. They’ll hold their shape and add some texture.
- Eggs: You’ll need two eggs for this recipe (and I always suggest large eggs!).
- Vegetable oil: Feel free to substitute with canola oil.
- Water: All you need is two tablespoons to help create moist and gooey textured brownies (just like boxed brownies but without artificial ingredients!).
- Vanilla: For the best flavor, splurge on a good-quality pure vanilla extract (I always recommend this for baking!).
The Best Pans for Baking Brownies
- Size: I use an 8x8-inch square pan, but you can also use a 9x9-inch square pan for a thinner brownie (and slightly less baking time). Alternatively, double the recipe and bake in a 9x13 pan to serve a crowd, adding about 10 minutes to the baking time.
- Material: An aluminum pan will do the trick (avoid using a dark-coated metal pan or it will bake too quickly, especially around the edges). Select a ceramic pan for brownies with slightly crisp but chewy edges and more fudgy centers (you’ll need to add a few more minutes of baking time).
Step-By-Step Instructions
Before you begin: Preheat the oven to 325°F/163°C. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper and read the recipe from start to finish.
Step 1: Whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, water, and vanilla in a large bowl.
Step 2: Sift the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and add the chopped chocolate. Gently stir everything together until there are no streaks of flour.
Step 3: Spread the brownie batter into an even layer in the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.
How To Tell When Brownies Are Done Baking
The trickiest part of the recipe is taking the brownies out of the oven at the right time. You don’t want them to be too gooey and definitely not overbaked. To time it perfectly, set your timer to 43 minutes (all ovens bake differently, regardless of the set temperature!).
As soon as the timer goes off, stick a toothpick into the center of the brownies. You’ll want to pull it out, and if you see a few moist crumbs, they’re ready. If the tip of the toothpick looks wet, you’ll need to continue baking the brownies. A clean toothpick means they’re overbaked!
Note: When your kitchen begins to smell like chocolate, you’ll know the brownies are almost done baking, it’s usually just around the time you’ll want to start checking them!
Expert Tips
- Use a digital kitchen scale. Baking with a scale is more accurate than using cup measurements. If you do not have a scale, use a spoon to add the flour into your measuring cup and level with the back of a knife.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper so it hangs off the sides. This will prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan and make it very easy to lift them out of the pan to slice.
- Do not overmix the batter. Mix the ingredients just until there are no longer traces of the dry ingredients. Overmixing will create tough and chewy brownies that might not rise as well in the oven.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This will allow them to set and firm up. Place the brownies on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice them into perfect squares. Make sure to clean your knife between cuts.
Storage & Freezing Tips
If you have leftover brownies, they will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container.
You can also freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve the brownies, allow them to come to room temperature on the counter.
Note: Use leftover brownies to make this easy no churn chocolate brownie ice cream!
FAQs
You can if you prefer. It will create brownies that are softer and moister than they already are. Just note that the brownies will have a less shiny crust.
Yes! You can stir in up to ¾ cup of chopped nuts or any other mix-in you prefer. You can add it in addition to the chopped chocolate!
Yes, you can use a 1:1 ratio. It’ll add more flavor to your brownies.
More Recipes You'll Love
I hope you love these One-Bowl Brownies as much as we do and that they become a family favorite! Please leave a comment below, I love reading your feedback! And if you’d like to make this recipe later, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest! Happy Baking!
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One-Bowl Brownies (Better Than Box Mix Brownies)
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
Description
These One-Bowl Brownies have a delicious chocolate flavor and fudgy centers, making them irresistible. All you need is 9 simple ingredients, 1 bowl for mixing, and just under 1 hour to make them.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 100 g (½ cup) vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 250 g (1 ¼ cups) granulated sugar
- 98 g (¾ cup) all-purpose flour
- 55 g (⅔ cup) cocoa powder
- 55 g (½ cup) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 113 g (4 ounces) chopped semi-sweet chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F/163°C. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper to hang over the edges (to easily remove the brownies from the pan).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, water, and vanilla.
- Sift the granulated sugar, flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt into the wet ingredients and add the chopped chocolate.
- Stir everything together until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, allow the brownies to come to room temperature on the counter.
Serve a crowd: Double this recipe and bake in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Add about 10 minutes to the baking time!
Slicing: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Place the brownies on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice, cleaning your knife between cuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Brownies & Bars
- Method: Baking
Carissa says
I have to tell you, these are now my go-to brownies!! Seriously, the only thing I don't like about homemade brownies is cleaning the dishes. And this one-bowl recipe made clean-up so much faster and easier! And the fudgy centers... THE BEST!!
Maria Pagiotas says
Hi Carissa!! So happy you love this recipe! I'm with you, easy clean-up is the best!! 🙂