Homemade Cocoa Brownies Recipe

Rich, fudgy, and full of deep chocolate flavor, these Homemade Cocoa Brownies are the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re satisfying a late-night chocolate craving or whipping up a dessert for family and friends, this recipe delivers every time. Made with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, these brownies will quickly become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.

If you love brownies but need to avoid gluten and dairy, be sure to check out our delicious recipe for GF DF Fudgy Brownies!

Indulge in these decadent cocoa brownies made from scratch! Perfectly fudgy, rich, and easy to bake, they’re the ultimate chocolate lover’s treat.

Rich & Fudgy Homemade Cocoa Brownies | Indulge in these decadent cocoa brownies made from scratch! Perfectly fudgy, rich, and easy to bake, they’re the ultimate chocolate lover’s treat.

Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

  • Butter: Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth batter. You can use coconut oil in place of the butter for a dairy free option.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides the sweetness and helps achieve that classic brownie texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor with a subtle aromatic note.
  • Eggs: These add moisture and structure, giving the brownies their fudgy consistency.
  • Baking Soda: A small amount to help the brownies rise just slightly without becoming cakey.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Keeps the brownies dense and fudgy, rather than cake-like, and gives the brownies structure.
  • Cocoa Powder: The key ingredient for that deep, rich chocolate taste.
  • Chocolate Chunks: For pockets of melted chocolate in every bite, adding extra decadence to the brownies. If you need a dairy free option, use your favorite brand of DG chocolate chips (we like using Wegman’s brand for this).
 Looking for a simple yet delicious brownie recipe? These easy homemade brownies are made with cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey flavor. Perfect for any occasion!

Easy Homemade Brownies with Cocoa Powder | Looking for a simple yet delicious brownie recipe? These easy homemade brownies are made with cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey flavor. Perfect for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Incredibly Fudgy: These brownies have a rich, fudgy texture that melts in your mouth, making them irresistible to any chocolate lover.
  • Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of these brownies in no time.
  • Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chunks creates a deep, intense chocolate flavor that’s perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness.
  • Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly, requiring minimal prep time and basic kitchen tools.
  • Customizable: You can easily add nuts, extra chocolate chips, or a swirl of caramel or peanut butter to make these brownies your own.
Discover the best fudgy cocoa brownies that melt in your mouth! This easy recipe is your go-to for a rich, chocolate-filled dessert.

The Best Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe | Discover the best fudgy cocoa brownies that melt in your mouth! This easy recipe is your go-to for a rich, chocolate-filled dessert.

Cocoa Brownies Vs. Melted Chocolate Brownies

Flavor Intensity: Cocoa brownies often have a more intense, deep chocolate flavor since cocoa powder is pure chocolate with most of the fat removed. In contrast, brownies made with melted chocolate have a milder, sweeter taste because the chocolate includes sugar and cocoa butter.

Texture: Cocoa brownies tend to be denser and fudgier, as cocoa powder doesn’t add extra fat like melted chocolate does. Brownies made with melted chocolate can be slightly softer and more cake-like due to the added cocoa butter and milk solids.

Fat Content: Cocoa brownies typically rely on butter or oil for fat, making them richer and giving them that fudgy texture. Brownies made with melted chocolate contain fat from both the butter and the chocolate, which can result in a slightly different mouthfeel.

Moisture: Brownies made with melted chocolate usually have a bit more moisture, as the chocolate contains some liquid. Cocoa brownies can sometimes be drier if the recipe doesn’t account for the lack of this additional moisture.

Ease of Preparation: Cocoa brownies are often easier and quicker to make, as they don’t require melting chocolate, which can be a bit more involved. This makes cocoa brownies a convenient option for a quick chocolate fix.

Need a quick chocolate fix? These easy cocoa brownies are made with simple ingredients and deliver a perfectly fudgy texture every time.

Quick & Easy Cocoa Brownies | Need a quick chocolate fix? These easy cocoa brownies are made with simple ingredients and deliver a perfectly fudgy texture every time.

How to Make Homemade Cocoa Brownies

STEP 1 – Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to the appropriate temperature.

STEP 2 – Prepare Pan: Grease and line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

STEP 3 – Mix Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

STEP 4 – Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt.

STEP 5 – Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in chocolate chunks or chips.

STEP 6 – Pour Batter: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.

STEP 7 – Bake: Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Whip up these decadent cocoa brownies from scratch in no time! Rich, fudgy, and irresistibly delicious—perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings.

Decadent Cocoa Brownies from Scratch | Whip up these decadent cocoa brownies from scratch in no time! Rich, fudgy, and irresistibly delicious—perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings.

Possible Variations

  • Nutty Brownies: Add chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for extra crunch and flavor.
  • Swirled Brownies: Swirl in peanut butter, caramel, or cream cheese before baking for a delicious twist.
  • Mint Chocolate Brownies: Mix in mint extract or crushed peppermint candies for a refreshing minty flavor.
  • Salted Caramel Brownies: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the batter before baking for a sweet and salty treat.
Indulge in these decadent cocoa brownies made from scratch! Perfectly fudgy, rich, and easy to bake, they’re the ultimate chocolate lover’s treat.

Homemade Cocoa Brownies Recipe

Yield: 9
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Classic, rich, and fudgy—these cocoa brownies are a chocolate lover’s delight. Made from scratch with easy-to-find ingredients, they’re a must-try!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups chocolate chunks

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare an 8x8 baking pan by lightly spraying it with nonstick cooking spray and/or lining it with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together the butter and sugar until combined. Mix in the vanilla and the eggs, one at a time.
  3. Mix in the baking soda and salt.
  4. Add the flour and cocoa powder. Mix until batter forms.
  5. Fold in the chocolate chunks. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty brownies.

2. Can I substitute cocoa powder with melted chocolate?

Cocoa powder gives the brownies their deep, rich flavor and fudgy texture. If you substitute it with melted chocolate, the texture and flavor might change. If you decide to use melted chocolate, you may need to adjust the flour and sugar quantities.

3. How do I know when the brownies are done?

Check the brownies by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter, they’re done. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the brownies.

4. Can I freeze these brownies?

Yes! These brownies freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

5. Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped nuts, extra chocolate chips, or even a swirl of peanut butter or caramel to the batter before baking.

6. What can I use as a substitute for eggs?

You can use flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg) or applesauce (1/4 cup per egg) as a substitute. Keep in mind that this may slightly alter the texture.

7. How should I store the brownies?

Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator, where they’ll last up to a week.

8. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe. Just use a larger baking pan (like a 9x13-inch pan) and adjust the baking time as needed, checking for doneness as described above.

9. Why did my brownies turn out cakey instead of fudgy?

Cakey brownies usually result from overmixing the batter or using too much flour. Make sure to mix the ingredients just until combined and measure your flour correctly.

10. Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly different, but they should still be delicious.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 437Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 226mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 2gSugar: 42gProtein: 6g
Easy to make and perfect for Halloween parties, these fudgy brownies are adorned with fun, creepy designs that will impress guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Spooky Cocoa Brownies with Halloween Frosting Decorations | Easy to make and perfect for Halloween parties, these fudgy brownies are adorned with fun, creepy designs that will impress guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ashton • Keaton • Mia

Co-Owners at Keat's Eats
Ashton and Keaton began blogging together in 2016 as a passion project. Both siblings are lovers of food, family gatherings, and entrepreneurial pursuits, which made starting a food blog together a no-brainer.