Easy Homemade Brownies

Easy Homemade Brownies are the perfect quick dessert to whip up at home. These fudgy brownies only take a few minutes and totally satisfy your chocolate cravings. Just like the recipe promises, they’re easy (and super fudgy)! Plus, I bet you have all the ingredients on hand.

This homemade brownie recipe has been updated from the archives. Originally published December 15, 2010. The Kerrygold Butter gift basket giveaway that was paired with the original post has been removed. The giveaway is no longer active. The original comments from the giveaway contest remain in this post.

The Best Homemade Brownies

Sometimes I really cannot believe I’ve been blogging as long as I have.

Long enough to dig up an old recipe for updating and see that it was published in 2010. And that isn’t even the the oldest thing on the site.

Well, this recipe for Easy Homemade Brownies is one that has been around a while. These simple brownies are definitely something we still make at home all the time.

In fact, I’ve even had several family members tell me that this recipe for brownies from scratch is their go-to brownie recipe. My mom has made it so often that she apparently has it memorized.

Even I still reference my site when I’m making recipes I’ve previously published. Honestly, that is one of the reasons that I started this blog to begin with!

Tools Needed to Make Homemade Brownies

You’ll need a few kitchen tools to prepare my favorite brownie recipe. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:

• Measuring Cups and Spoons – to measure the ingredients.
• ​Saucepan – I use a 2 qt. stainless steel saucepan.
• Wire Whisk – for whisking the eggs into the melted butter mixture.
• Wooden Spoon – to stir the flour in to the egg mixture.
• Silicone Spatula – to scrape the sides of the pan when transferring the brownie batter to the prepared pan for baking.
• Parchment Paper – I like to line the pan with parchment paper so the brownies can be removed easily after baking.
• Square Metal Pan – you can use an 8×8-inch pan or a 9×9-inch pan to bake a batch of fudgy brownies. The bake time for the 8×8 will be slightly longer than the 9×9 pan.

Homemade Brownie Ingredients

The best part of this recipe for easy homemade brownies is that most, if not all, of the ingredients are staples you probably have in your house. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Salted Butter
• Cocoa Powder
• Granulated Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• Large Eggs
• All-Purpose Flour
• Chocolate Chunks (optional)

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make these delicious brownies, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Homemade Brownies

These homemade brownies with cocoa powder are so easy to make! Here is a quick overview of the process:

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
2. Add the sugar and vanilla.
3. Then stir in the cocoa powder.
4. Whisk in the eggs.
5. Stir in the flour and chocolate chunks (optional).
6. Bake in a parchment paper lined square pan.

The above is simply a quick summary of this homemade brownie recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Brownies

Flavor Variations to Try 

Why complicate something so deliciously simple? These easy brownies are the perfect bare bones homemade brownie recipe, and they’re delicious just like this so there is no need to get fancy with it — unless you want to! 

Over the years, I’ve experimented quite a bit with this homemade brownie recipe. Here are our favorite flavor variations:

• Chocolate Ganache Brownies – After preparing the brownies, cool completely. Then, pour chocolate ganache on top. Refrigerate until the ganache is set. Then, remove the brownies from the pan and slice into squares.
• Fudgy Walnut Brownies – Add chopped walnuts to the batter. This is great for people who love a little crunch in their fudgy brownies.
• Salted Caramel Brownies – before baking the brownies, add 1/2 cup of this Salted Caramel Sauce on top of the unbaked batter, then swirl it with a knife through the batter, and bake.
• Chocolate Orange Brownies – This adaptation is perfect for the person who can’t get enough of that classic orange and chocolate combo. Add orange zest and/or orange extract to the batter.
• Fudgy Peppermint Brownies – This makes a great brownie variation for Christmas time! Add chopped candy cane or peppermint crunch white chocolate chips to the batter and add a hint of peppermint extract.
• Halloween Brownies – Add leftover Halloween candy to the batter instead of chocolate chips. Reese’s Pieces or Peanut Butter Cups are delicious!

Homemade Brownies FAQs

Got questions about how to make my best brownie recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

Can I add espresso powder to brownies?

Yes! The original recipe does not include espresso powder, but now I like to add 1 teaspoon to the recipe. The espresso powder enhances the rich chocolate flavor of these fudgy brownies.

Can this homemade brownie recipe be doubled?

Yes, this recipe is easily doubled for a larger batch!

You can bake the doubled amount divided between two square pans or bake all of the brownie batter in one 9×13-inch pan. When baking in a 9×13-inch pan, you’ll increase the bake time by a few minutes.

How should I store leftover brownies?

We cut up the whole pan of these fudgy brownies after they’ve cooled to room temperature. Leftovers are easily stored in an airtight container and room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, wrap cooled brownies tightly in plastic wrap.

Try these Easy Homemade Brownies!

Next time you’re looking for an easy recipe for fudgy brownies, give this easy brownie recipe a try!

Did you think they were the perfect brownies? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me @goodlifeeats #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo!

More Homemade Brownie Recipes

These Sea Salt Brownies have the perfect balance of sweet and salty. They’re fudgy, rich, and chocolatey with a hint of salt.

Ultra fudgy brownies are infused with Guinness two ways in this easy recipe. Make these Frosted Guinness Brownies for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you’re craving extra decadent brownies!

This easy Brownie Trifle recipe features layers of gluten-free brownie, homemade peanut butter mousse, and whipped cream. Layers in small jars or a big trifle dish!

Chocolate Covered Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches are a decadent chocolate treat. Take a regular ice cream sandwich over the edge with this chocolate covered brownie ice cream sandwich. 

In this Raspberry Brownie Trifle, layers of fudgy brownies are alternated with with mascarpone whipped cream and raspberries for a delightful dessert!

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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A Story About these Homemade Brownies

I have to share a story about this fudgy brownie recipe that I posted on Instagram a while back.

It goes like this….

Logan is in Home Ec this term.

*proud mom moment*

Logan has been asking me for the past week or so if he could cook something by himself, rather than just assisting me. Every day I had a reason for saying “no,” like it’s 10 minutes till dinner or 20 minutes to bedtime.

Last week during a snow day an hour before he goes to his dad’s he asked again. I said “ok, how about those fudgy brownies from my blog?

You love them and now you can learn how to make them, plus they’re easy!”

Seriously. Did I mention that this recipe is EASY?  

These homemade brownies also only require 1 saucepan to prepare them. ONE.

I cannot tell you how much this means to me after all the years struggling with him being literally the pickiest child I had ever met. He eats pretty much any dinner I make now.

Though I don’t cook fancy for the kids, he is usually at least curious and sometimes interested to try new things. He likes asparagus and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic.

He likes steak and pork, salmon, and turkey, and chicken. Especially my recipe for Easy Honey Mustard Baked Chicken.

There was a time I didn’t think I could get him to even taste meat to see if he would like it. No exaggeration.

The rest of my family will confirm it as they are just as amazed as I am that FINALLY Logan is eating. I think Logan is often pretty amazed himself!

To see him interested, excited, willing to taste and learn is more than I thought I’d ever see. Oh, and he watches Food Network more than me, especially things like Chopped, Cupcake Wars, and Cooks or Cons.

They will round out the Home Ec (Excuse me….Family Consumer Sciences) term with a classroom Cupcake Wars competition – he’s so excited!

Logan is grilling me all the time about what type of cupcakes he should make and PLEASE MOM CAN WE PRACTICE?! There is a little bit of uncertainty about what the guidelines for said cupcake wars are.

I asked him if they were supposed to bake from scratch, because after all they only have one classroom period (which is like less than an hour) to complete the project.

He said he thought they were supposed to use a box mix. That honestly baffled me a little because…hello? we are in a class learning how to cook, why not learn how to cook instead of how to open a box?

I am so proud and so happy after all the crazy pickiest eater in the world stuff that we’ve been through.