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A stack of three cocoa powder brownies on a napkin

Cocoa Powder Brownies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 133 reviews
  • Author: Julianne Dell
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 brownies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This cocoa powder brownies recipe makes fudgy homemade brownies with shiny, crackly tops that taste even better than a boxed brownie mix! Quick and easy to make with pantry staples, and ready in 35 minutes.


Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups (238g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (78ml) vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup (59ml) milk
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (40g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (168g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus additional for garnish
  • Flaky sea salt garnish (optional)


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously grease an 8-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar with the oil, milk, and vanilla extract and beat together until well combined.
  3. Next, add the egg and beat just until combined, about 30 seconds or so.
  4. Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and stir to combine. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
  5. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and sprinkle another handful of chocolate chips over top. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center will be damp but not gooey or wet. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before cutting.

Notes

  • Baking times: several people have reported longer baking time. Refer back to the blog post section with the toothpick test to determine about how long the brownies should cook for. Use a metal baking pan and ensure the oven is properly preheated. To bake in a 9-inch pan, reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
  • Storing: Brownies are best for 3 days when stored on the counter in an airtight container, or up to 5 days in the refrigerator. 
  • Freezing: I recommend wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap. You can thaw in the fridge, on the counter, or pop frozen brownies in the microwave for 15-30 seconds to warm.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 259
  • Sugar: 29.2 g
  • Sodium: 35.5 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40.2 g
  • Fiber: 2.6 g
  • Protein: 3.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 15.6 mg