These rich, fudgy chocolate brownies strike the perfect balance between decadence and simplicity. Ready in just 45 minutes, they’re packed with satisfying chocolate flavor and deliver a mouthwatering treat that’s impossible to resist. Each heavenly square contains 433 calories of pure bliss, making them an ideal dessert for special occasions or when you need a luxurious chocolate fix. With their crispy top and gooey center, these classic brownies will become your go-to recipe for unforgettable sweet moments.
Ingredients for Decadent Chocolate Brownies
- Oil: 1 cup, use vegetable or canola oil for best results
- Granulated Sugar: 2 cups, ensures perfect sweetness balance
- Eggs: 4 large, room temperature for better mixing
- Cocoa Powder: 6 Tablespoons unsweetened, creates rich chocolate flavor
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, enhances overall flavor
- All-purpose Flour: 1½ cups, measured correctly for perfect texture
- Vanilla Extract: 1 Tablespoon, adds wonderful aroma
For the Chocolate Frosting
- Butter: ½ cup at room temperature for smooth mixing
- Cocoa Powder: ½ cup unsweetened, for deep chocolate taste
- Powdered Sugar: 2-3 cups, adjust for desired sweetness
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, enhances flavor depth
- Milk: 5-6 Tablespoons, adjust for perfect consistency
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F, ensuring perfect baking temperature
- Mix Base: Combine sugar and oil until well blended
- Add Eggs: Mix in eggs one at a time, ensuring proper incorporation
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently stir in cocoa powder, salt, and flour until just combined
- Bake: Pour into greased 9×13″ pan and bake for 30 minutes
- Cool: Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting
Frosting Instructions
- Prepare Butter: Cream until light and fluffy
- Add Flavoring: Mix in cocoa powder and salt thoroughly
- Final Touches: Alternate between powdered sugar and milk until reaching desired consistency
- Finish: Spread evenly over cooled brownies
Baking Tips for Perfect Brownies
Want super fudgy brownies? Take them out when your toothpick has a few moist crumbs – they’ll keep baking a bit as they cool. For cake-like brownies, bake until the toothpick comes out totally clean. The oil in this recipe makes these extra moist, but you can use melted butter instead for a richer taste. Keep an eye on the edges – when they start to pull away from the pan slightly, that’s a good sign they’re almost done!
Simple Variations
Make these brownies your own! Mix in 1 cup of chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or crushed candy pieces before baking. Love mint? Add ½ teaspoon of mint extract to the frosting. For extra chocolate lovers, sprinkle some mini chocolate chips on top of the warm frosting. You can also skip the frosting and dust with powdered sugar for a lighter treat.
Serving Ideas
These brownies are amazing on their own, but try warming them up for 15 seconds in the microwave – they get extra gooey and wonderful! Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a classic brownie sundae. For fancy occasions, drizzle some warm caramel sauce over the top and add a few fresh berries.
Storage Tips
Your brownies will stay fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Pop them in the fridge to keep them fresh for up to a week – just let them come to room temperature before eating. You can also freeze them! Cut into squares, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature whenever you need a chocolate fix!
Chocolate Brownies
Equipment
- 9×13 baking pan
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 cup oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Frosting (optional)
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5-6 Tablespoons milk or half and half, or cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix sugar and oil in a mixing bowl.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg is added. Add vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients: cocoa powder, salt, flour, and stir until combined.
- Pour batter into a greased 9×13” baking pan and spread into an even layer. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- For the Chocolate Frosting: Cream the butter until light and fluffy.
- Add cocoa powder and salt and mix until well combined. Add vanilla.
- Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, mixing well until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
- Spread frosting over cooled brownies.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
