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Easy Brownies with Cocoa Powder

Introducing my favourite easy brownies with cocoa powder, made completely from scratch. These rich and fudgy brownies are gooey on the inside with chewy edges and gorgeous, crackly tops.
5 from 60 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: brownies, Slices
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 20 serves
Calories: 140kcal

Equipment

  • Microwave or Thermomix see notes for Thermomix instructions
  • Oven

Ingredients

  • 150 g butter
  • 275 g (1 ¼cups) caster sugar see notes
  • 75 g (¾ cup) cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 3 eggs room temperature
  • 75 g (½ cup) plain flour

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced) and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper. Set aside.
  • Place the butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute.
  • Add the caster sugar and sifted cocoa powder and stir.
  • Heat in the microwave on 30 second bursts (50% power) until sugar dissolved and ingredients combined - stirring each time.
  • Allow to cool slightly.
  • Add the vanilla extract and the eggs and whisk until combined.
  • Sift the plain flour into the bowl and gently fold through.
  • Pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Leave in the tin to cool completely.
  • Thermomix Instructions - Click the link in the notes section below for the Thermomix recipe.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS:
  • Thermomix Chocolate Brownies - click here for the Thermomix brownies method.
  • Line your tin with baking paper/parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove them from the tin later. Leave the edges over hanging slightly for convenience.
  • Cocoa Powder - whatever type you use, make sure it’s a good quality one! Dutch processed cocoa powder lends a deep smooth flavour and is recommended, but natural cocoa powder works too if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Add a little salt to bring out the chocolate flavour and balance the sweetness.
  • Sift the plain flour before adding it to the batter.
  • Don’t overmix the batter once the flour has been added. Overbeating will add air, which will produce cakey brownies, rather than fudgy.
  • Don’t overbake! Brownies will continue to cook after they’ve been removed from the oven. So, it’s best to remove them when they are slightly under, rather than overcooked. All ovens differ slightly, so start to check them at the 20-minute mark and then in 5-minute intervals until they are ready. If you want fudgy brownies, remove them from the oven when the sides have begun to shrink away from the tin but the centre is still gooey.
  • Mix it up! These brownies are so easy to make and only require a few ingredients. But the batter is perfect to use as a base to add your favourite flavours. Add some swirls of peanut butter or Nutella. Throw in a handful of your favourite chocolate chips or M&Ms. Fresh berries, chopped cookies (Oreos especially!) or chopped nuts/walnuts also make great additions.
  • For gooey brownies, cook for 25 minutes and test by inserting a toothpick into the centre for a second or two. If the toothpick is covered in thick (but not runny) chocolate mixture, then you will have gooey brownies.
  • For fudgy/moist brownies, cook for 30 minutes and test with a toothpick which should come out with less thick mixture on it. The top should be flaky and set. 
  • Cool before cutting - allow the brownies to cool in the tin before cutting into them. You will have neater slices if they are cut at room temperature.
  • Serve them on their own, dusted with icing sugar or slather ganache or frosting over the top. You can also heat them and add a big scoop of your favourite ice cream!
  • Storage - store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
  • Freezing - allow the brownies to cool to room temperature first and slice them into individual serves (or leave the slab whole, if preferred). Wrap the brownies in baking paper and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave the slices in a container in the fridge overnight, or sit them at room temperature for 1-2 hours. To warm, place them in the microwave until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg