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    Home » Recipes » Desserts and Baked Goods

    May 16, 2019 · Modified: Apr 26, 2022 by Andrea· This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

    Chewy Cocoa Brownies

    Jump to Recipe

    These Chewy Cocoa Brownies are an all-time classic and family favourite. Crispy around the edges and chewy in the center they are sure to check all the boxes for not only the most delicious brownies but also the easiest.

    Close up of baked and cut brownie squares

    The ingredients required to make these brownies are things you most likely already have on hand so they can be made in a pinch! Have a late night craving? These will be ready to eat in less than an hour!

    Baked brownies uncut in metal baking pan

    Brownies are one of those things that can be made a hundred different ways. If you search "brownies" on the web there are countless options to choose from. Even though this recipe is going back to basics, I mean the most basic you can get, they are still the favourite around here. Over the years I've tried so many brownie recipes, made hundreds of adjustments and still keep coming back to this one. Adding chocolate must make them better right? Nope. Seriously no.

    What's the secret to that shiny crust on top? Lots of whisking. You want the eggs at room temperature and whisked up before adding to the chocolate mixture. Then you vigorously whisk them into the batter. This creates a "souffle" effect. Because the air you incorporate into the eggs makes them puff up during baking and then settle back down to form the crusty layer on top. A key element to a perfect brownie if you ask me.

    First the butter, sugars and cocoa powder are melted in a double boiler. Don't know what a double boiler is? You place a bowl over top of a pot with about an inch or two of simmering water. This creates a gentle heat so you don't burn anything. Make sure the bowl isn't touching the water and if it's boiling too much be sure to turn it down. Once everything is melted you are going to think you did something wrong because it'll look something like this....

    grainy looking chewy cocoa brownie mix before adding eggs with wooden spoon in glass bowl

    Don't panic, this is how it's supposed to look. You also want to make sure it is very warm to the touch. Take it off the heat while you whisk up the eggs. Once you have added your eggs and dry ingredients that's when the magic happens. You end up with this luscious goodness...

    Cocoa brownie batter dripping off of a whisk into glass bowl.

    Make sure your chocolate mixture is still warm when you add the eggs and flour mixture to have the best results. If you have all your ingredients ready before hand it will make this easier to achieve.

    Now you're ready to bake and fill your home with the intoxicating aroma of cocoa brownies! The one little "beyond basic" ingredient I add is instant espresso powder. Just a touch. You don't taste coffee in the brownies but it adds just a little depth of flavour. If you don't have it and don't want to buy some you can leave it out. But...what I can tell you is that instant espresso powder is a staple in my baking cupboard. It is the easiest way to add a coffee hit to many baked goods. It also makes a decent cup of coffee if you've run out of your favourite brew or are feeling too lazy to make a pot...usually the case for me.

    Moist chewy cocoa brownies on a plate. One with a bite out of it. Cup of coffee and board with cut brownies in background

    Let's do a recap of the essential steps to making these Classic Chewy Cocoa Brownies.

    Pro tips for best results

    • Have all your ingredients ready before starting
    • Have your eggs at room temperature. To speed up this process place the eggs in a bowl of hot tap water and leave them there for 5 minutes or so.
    • Make sure your butter/sugar/cocoa mixture is still warm but not hot when adding the eggs and flour mix. You should be able to hold your finger in for 5 seconds. You don't want to cook the eggs.
    • Mix in the flour in 2 batches to avoid lumps
    • Spray your pan with non-stick spray and line the bottom with parchment paper
    • Bake for recommended time but look for the rise and fall of the crusty layer.

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    📖 Recipe

    Print Recipe
    4.64 from 11 votes

    Classic Chewy Cocoa Brownies

    These brownies are an all-time classic and family favourite. Crispy around the edges and chewy in the centre they are sure to check all the boxes for not only the most delicious brownies but also the easiest.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Brownie
    Servings: 16 small squares
    Calories: 189kcal
    Author: Andrea Mut

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup unsalted butter
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
    • ½ cup + 1 tbsp cocoa powder
    • 2 lg eggs room temperature, see note above
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ cup all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

    Instructions

    • 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  
      2. Spray an 8"x 8" pan by with non-stick cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. 
      3. Bring an inch or 2 of water to a boil and turn down to simmer for your double boiler. Meanwhile, measure out your butter, both sugars and cocoa powder into a bowl that fits over your pot without touching the water.
      4. Place bowl over simmering water. Stir periodically until butter is melted.
      5. Meanwhile crack eggs into separate bowl large enough to whisk eggs vigorously.
      6. In another bowl measure out flour, baking powder, salt and espresso powder,  Whisk to combine.
      7. When butter is melted remove bowl from pot and set aside to cool slightly. 
      8. Meanwhile whisk eggs for approximately 1 minute until light in colour.
      9. When chocolate mixture has cooled enough that you can hold your finger in the mix for 3-5 seconds, whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Continue whisking for another minute. 
      10. Sprinkle half the flour mixture over batter.  Stir until combined. Sprinkle in remaining flour and continue to stir until flour is no longer visible. Pour into prepared pan
      11. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until top has puffed up and then settled back down. Over baking will create a less chewy texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 189kcal

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.64 from 11 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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    1. Tina Lim says

      December 31, 2023 at 4:33 pm

      Hi Andrea, I’m in the middle of making the brownies and I don’t see when to add the vanilla. Can you please let me know when is the best time to add this. Thank you. Just wanted to add that my husband and I love your recipes. We’ve tried quite a few.

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      • Andrea says

        December 31, 2023 at 5:18 pm

        Hi Tina! You can add the vanilla at any time but the best time would be in step 9 with the eggs. I just edited to recipe to add that. Thanks for catching it! Hope you enjoy them and I’m so happy you are enjoying the other recipes!

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    2. Elaine says

      February 15, 2023 at 11:51 pm

      I'm wanting to make these. Can I substitute coconut sugar for the brown sugar and make syrup or honey for the granulated?

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      • Andrea says

        February 16, 2023 at 9:12 am

        Hi Elaine, I haven't tried this recipe with those substitutions so can't really say how they will turn out. Please let me know if you give it a try!

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    3. Eddie Wosick says

      July 14, 2022 at 7:21 am

      Precisely what I was searching for, thankyou for posting.

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      • Andrea says

        July 14, 2022 at 7:25 am

        Hope you enjoy them!

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    4. Deb H says

      July 07, 2022 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      Made these for Jim birthday last week, they were a hit everyone just loved them ❤️ Thank you Andrea very delicious

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      • Andrea says

        July 08, 2022 at 10:43 am

        I love that! So glad everyone enjoyed them!

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    5. Christine says

      December 23, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      Andrea what a game changer! I have been making brownies for years and people request mine but I think this recipe trumps mine for sure! Thanks for this new addition to my Xmas treats! Merry Christmas!

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      • Andrea says

        December 23, 2021 at 3:25 pm

        Hi Christine!
        I'm so happy you liked them!! 😀

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    6. Barb says

      April 27, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      Oh my gosh Andrea.....I can eat brownies on this plan?

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      • Andrea says

        April 27, 2021 at 6:47 pm

        Non they aren't but you can enjoy then once you have lost your weight 😀

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    7. Stephanie says

      October 05, 2020 at 12:19 am

      Hi! Even though I beat the eggs and follow the recipe I couldn’t achieve the crackly top 🙁 brownies taste delicious but I really want to get that shiny top. Did you use a hand mixer?

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      • Andrea says

        October 05, 2020 at 8:24 am

        You have to whisk the eggs vigorously before adding them and once added to the batter. Also make sure your eggs are at room temperature. I have only ever used a whisk to make them. Hope that helps!

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    8. Stephanie Chiara says

      April 25, 2020 at 4:56 am

      5 stars
      I’ve tried tons of brownies recipe and this is the only recipe that got me those crackly top. Thankyou so much for the recipe this will be my ultimate brownies recipe❤️

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      • Andrea says

        April 25, 2020 at 7:58 am

        I'm so glad you liked this recipe! It is so simple and so perfect isn't it? I have been making them for years and years and they have never failed me.

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    Andrea from My Pocket Kitchen

    Hello and welcome to My Pocket Kitchen! I'm Andrea, a professionally trained Chef & Pastry Chef . Here you will find easy, step by step recipes that are packed with wholesome, nutrient rich ingredients. Hope you have fun! Read More…

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    Close up of cut chewy cocoa brownies
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