Look no further, these thick, fudgy Homemade Bakery Style Brownies are the perfect one bowl brownie recipe you’ll ever need! Crisp edges, crackle top, fudgy center, and a decadent chocolate flavor, these are going to be your go-to recipe from now on!
When you’re looking for classic recipes, be sure to add this perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe to your list! Soft and chewy. While you’re at it, don’t forget our favorite Peanut Butter Cookie recipe too!
Why this Recipe Works
I’m always on the hunt for the perfect brownie. But, there’s a flaw in that plan. The “perfect brownie” really depends on my mood.
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a fudgy brownie with powdered sugar on top. Sometimes these buttermilk brownies are the answer to my chocolate cravings!
Today though, I was on a quest to create a THICK brownie. But it couldn’t be cakey.
Because I’m sorry, I am NEVER in the mood for a cake-like brownie. I’d rather just have chocolate cake.
These Bakery Style Brownies are exactly what you’d expect a good bakery to crank out, yet you can make them at home, anytime!
- One bowl. Or in this case, you’ll mix everything (by hand) in a large saucepan. Easy clean up!
- Serious chocolate flavor. By using chocolate chips melted in the batter AND cocoa powder, you’ll achieve the perfect fudgy old-fashioned brownie flavor!
- Crackle top. The signature sign of a perfect brownie.
Don’t forget to add the cream cheese swirls. Try our cheesecake brownie recipe next! Or whip up a batch of chocolate chip brownies for an extra rich and fudgy treat.
Ingredients Needed
Looking for a recipe that is better than a boxed mix? Here’s what you’ll need.
- Butter. I use unsalted butter so that I can control the salt in my baking. No need to soften this butter because we’re going to melt it!
- Chocolate. You’ll need semi-sweet chocolate chips AND unsweetened cocoa powder for this brownie recipe.
PRO TIP: The better quality of chocolate you use, the better the taste. I usually opt for Ghirardelli.
- Eggs. This recipe calls for FOUR eggs. THAT is how you achieve gooey brownies with a chewy center and crispy crust. And they puff up to a thick, chewy treat.
- Vanilla Extract. Use PURE vanilla extract to amp up the flavor.
- Flour. Salt. Baking Powder. As you add in your dry ingredients, you will mix them in by hand JUST until combined.
Aimee’s Secret
Using just a small amount of baking powder provides a little lift in these brownies, without resulting in a cake-like texture. They still maintain their thick, chewy texture!
How to make Brownies
Achieving the perfect, better than a box, brownie is easy. And since you most likely have all the ingredients on hand, you can do this any day of the week!
- Melt Butter. In a medium sized saucepan, melt butter. Remove from heat.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Sugar. Add in the chocolate chips and sugar and stir until sugar is blended and all the chocolate has melted.
- Add Dry Ingredients. Mix in the dry ingredients JUST until blended. Use as few strokes as possible. If adding extra chocolate chips or nuts, fold them into the batter now.
- Bake. Pour batter in a 9-inch square baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake. Cool. Cut. Enjoy.
PRO TIP: For a fudgy center, don’t overbake these brownies. And be sure to let them cool completely before cutting!
Tips and Tricks
- These easy brownies can be made in ONE bowl. Whether you use a medium sized saucepan, or microwave safe large bowl…clean up is a breeze!
- I use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips in my fudgy brownies, use what you have on hand! You can even toss some in at the end to make them chocolate chip brownies! Or toss in some walnuts for some nutty brownies!
- LINE your baking dish with parchment paper (or foil). Not only does it make clean up easier, but you can just lift your fudgy brownies out of the pan and cut them!
- DO NOT OVER STIR. When you add in the dry ingredients, use slow but big stirs to incorporate the dry into the wet. Just when you see no more dry, STOP STIRRING!
- Want to eat them sooner? Chill them in the refrigerator so they are easier to cut. Want to make a brownie ice cream sundae? Eat them warm!
- Serve with ice cream. Don’t forget the vanilla ice cream (or use our easy no churn ice cream recipe)!
- If dipping them in chocolate and adding topping, you’ll definitely want to wait until they have cooled COMPLETELY. Then cut them in 9 large squares, and cut those squares diagonally so you’ll be left with 18 triangles. I use this melting chocolate for perfect results!
PRO TIP: For perfect cutting, use a cheap, disposable plastic knife after the brownies have cooled. WORKS LIKE A CHARM.
Recipe FAQs
To achieve fudgy brownies, not cakey brownies, you’ll need a high fat to flour ratio, like in my recipe.
Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. These chewy fudgy brownies can be stored for up to one week.
Freezing brownies is so easy. Once baked and cooled completely, you can either slide the whole pan of brownies into an airtight freezer container. Or, cut into squares and freeze bite size servings. Thaw in container at room temperature overnight.
Aimee’s Pro Tip
Use a metal pan instead of a glass baking pan. It transmits the heat evenly in brownies, which results in the perfect texture. You may find your brownies under-cooked if using glass…add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Variations
Today’s easy brownie recipe is the perfect base for all of your mix-ins and flavors. I use my recipe regularly to make a variety of flavors!
- Love Caramel? Give these Salted Caramel Brownies a try next!
- Or use this recipe to make a delicious M&M Brownie for your next party.
- Add a batch of nutty Walnut Brownies to the list too!
- Swirl in some peanut butter for the perfect flavor combo. Our Peanut Butter Brownies are ALWAYS a hit.
- Don’t forget to try a batch of Oreo Brownies next!
- When you’re craving a gooey treat, whip up a batch of our Turtle Brownies!
- Drizzle with melted chocolate and make Valentine Brownies with holiday sprinkles!
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- English Toffee
- Caramel Corn
- Pralines
- Cheesecake Recipe – for the oven!
- Chocolate Cheesecake
- Instant Pot Brownies
The Best Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and add in chocolate chips and sugar.
- Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add in eggs, one at a time, stirring completely after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
- Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Using big strokes, stir in JUST until mixed and no longer see dry ingredients. DO NOT BEAT OR OVER STIR.
- Pour batter into dish and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before cutting.
Notes
- These can be made in ONE bowl. Whether you use a medium sized saucepan, or microwave safe large bowl…clean up is a breeze!
- I use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips in my brownies, use what you have on hand! You can even toss some in at the end to make them chocolate chip brownies! Or toss in some walnuts for some nutty brownies!
- LINE your baking dish with parchment paper (or foil). Not only does it make clean up easier, but you can just lift your brownies out of the pan and cut them!
- Use a metal pan instead of a glass baking pan. It transmits the heat evenly in brownies, which results in the perfect texture. You may find your brownies under-cooked if using glass…add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- DO NOT OVER STIR. When you add in the dry ingredients, use slow but big stirs to incorporate the dry into the wet. Just when you see no more dry, STOP STIRRING!
- Want to eat them sooner? Chill them in the refrigerator so they are easier to cut. Want to make a brownie ice cream sundae? Eat them warm!
- If dipping them in chocolate and adding topping, you’ll definitely want to wait until they have cooled COMPLETELY. Then cut them in 9 large squares, and cut those squares diagonally so you’ll be left with 18 triangles. I use this melting chocolate for perfect results!
- STORAGE: Store brownies in airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Baking time. If you like thick and gooey brownies, cook them from 35-40 minutes. If you prefer them cooked all the way through (and not gooey at all) increase time to 45-50 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
Look no further, these thick, fudgy Bakery Style Brownies are the perfect, one bowl brownie recipe you’ll ever need! They also make a great bake sale treat!
The recipe calls for 2 cups of sugar would it still work with 1 cup instead of 2 ?
Probably not. But you can try it and let us know?
Is it baking powder or baking soda picture of ingredients says baking soda but instruction ingredients says baking powder
Gah! Good catch. It’s baking powder!
I saw someone say they used a pan bigger then a 9×13 the recipe says a 9” baking pan, so I used a 9”x9” pan. I also Have a liquid centre after 35 minutes? And am hoping 10 more minutes makes this right. Can any help with what the actual cooking time should be? I hate over cooked brownies. Side note, it smells delicious 🤷♀️
Made these twice now, exactly as the recipe states and they are the most amazing brownies I’ve ever made and tasted. Love the chewy center and crispy outside. My new “go-to”! Delish and so we’ll explained!!!
È possibile quantificare in grammi la ricetta?quanti grammi sono una tazza di burro?ecc…
Hey !!
How to replace eggs in this recipe to make it eggless ?
Sorry I haven’t tested that.
Google “Flax eggs”
The recipe was perfect and the brownies were amazing in taste and fudginess. I reduced the sugar to 1 cup. The taste was perfect but did not get the crackly top?
You can use applesauce as a replacement for eggs but I’m not sure how that would taste in a brownie recipe. I’ve only ever tried it in waffles
This recipe was fabulous! I modified it to be GF simply by using GF flour instead (same measurements) and used half Stevia and half sugar to lower the sugar amount… I may try to alter that next time as well since it turned out so well! Loved the Brownies
I love these brownies! I make them in a pan that is bigger than a 9×13 – I think it’s 12×17. I double the recipe and they are still nice and thick. I bake for a living and my customers absolutely love these.
If I am using salted butter do I still need to add some salt?
I used salted butter and didn’t use any other salt. It’s good with just what’s in the butter
Can this recipe be doubled for a 13×9 baking pan? They look amazingly delicious 😋. Thanks for sharing
Yes you can, I just did it.
If using 9×13 pan how long did you bake?
Aboue 22-24 minutes!
I followed the recipe to a tee and it came out way too runny. Needs at least an extra 10-15min
These are the best brownies I’ve ever had. My husband absolutely loves them- I’ve literally made them 3 times in the past two weeks because we eat them e v e r y n i g h t for dessert. This is getting added to our favorite recipe book- thank you so much!!!
So easy to make. Came out so good.
This taste amazing but was still undercooked in the middle because I only have a 20cm x 20cm 5baking dish, I cooked them for 30mins but was undercooked in the middle 🙁 can you reccomend a different cooking time / temp for my dish size please?
Today I made this Brownie recipe. I’m very fussy about brownies, and this is the best I’ve ever had. Not only that — it was so fast and easy. I followed the core recipe exactly, but just added some chopped walnuts. My husband isn’t fond of
brownies — even he loved it. As stated, very fast and easy cleanup. Thank you.
I made this recipe today and talking about easy, so easy and goooood ☺️ This definitely will be a regular for tailgating and friends gatherings! They are sweet I’m thinking next time make them with 1.5 cups of sugar instead of what the recipe calls for. It may or may not work 🤔 still a favorite . Thank you for sharing the recipe!
He long do you cook the brownies in. 9” square pan? The recipe doesn’t specify (or, I missed it). Thank you.
The recipe is at the bottom of the page. THe brownies are made in a 9-inch square pan so everything applies 🙂
Finally a brownie recipe that I love! Thank you! I have tried many brownie recipes over the years and yours is hands-down the best! True results. This will be my go-to (my ONLY) brownie recipe. A good brownie is the one dessert that I just can’t say no to – so thank you for a great recipe!
Also, Can I add fresh raspberries into the batter?
So glad you loved it. Fresh berries are delicious. I usually just pour the batter into the pan and poke the berries into the top.
Followed directions and just finished a piece! These are Brownie Heaven! I am going to wrap them Individually and freeze them so I don’t eat them all up! Home Run! Best Brownies Ever!
Hi!!! Your recipe is awesome!!!! I would like making the brownies in cupcake pans. How long will you suggest baking them?
Thanks
Ooh I haven’t tried that. I suppose I would start with 12-15 minutes and check from there. Let me know how it works out!
I have them in the oven now! They smell amazing 😍 I was reading through the recipe as they cook and I noticed it says to use baking soda in the ingredients list but baking powder in the recipe. I used baking powder. I’m sure it will fine though! Thank you for sharing!
These brownies are absolutely delicious. They turned out think and chewy as promised. I did dip them in a chocolate frosting and they were even better. Perfect chocolate fix! I cut them small since they are so rich.
I love these brownies. They’re exactly what I was looking for. Maybe next time I’ll try adding some Reese’s pieces or something fun on the top before baking
I made brownies and they were very delicious, but what is the secret that they are all one level, is it the oven or how to prepare the recipe?
Tap on counter top before putting in oven, or use an offset spatula to spread the top evenly before baking.