You can make this brownie recipe with cocoa powder only--no chocolate needed! My trusted technique guarantees that classic, rich chocolate flavor and fudgy texture. Just minutes to prep! Recipe includes a how-to video!
Prep time: PT15M
Cook time: PT23M
Total time: PT38M
Rating
5 stars (10 reviews)
Keywords
brownie recipe with cocoa powder
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup unsalted butter (cut into 8 pieces)
½ cup natural cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ rounded teaspoon table salt ((or fine sea salt))
½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional )
Categories
bars
brownies
Dessert
Cuisine
American
Steps
Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9x9 square baking pan with parchment paper (or lightly grease with butter). Set aside.
Whisk the sugar and eggs. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until very well-combined. For shiny, crackly-topped brownies, whisk vigorously, until lightened in color (about 30-45 seconds of vigorous whisking) Set aside.
Melt the butter and bloom the cocoa. In a separate bowl, melt the butter. Immediately whisk in the cocoa to combine (this helps “bloom” the cocoa and gives you a darker chocolate flavor). If using espresso powder, add this here as well.
Combine the sugar and chocolate mixtures. Pour the melted butter mixture into the sugar/eggs mixture and stir until well-combined.
Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour and salt and stir until combined, then stir in the mini chocolate chips (if using).
Spread and bake. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan, then transfer to the center rack of 350F (175C) preheated oven and bake for 23 minutes, until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist, fudgy crumbs.
Cool & cut. Allow brownies to cool before slicing and enjoying.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 168 kcal
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Cholesterol: 37 mg
Sodium: 13 mg
Sugar: 19 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
Reviews
jim hynes on 2026-06-15 (5 stars): Far and away the best brownie I have ever had.
Deb Reeves on 2026-06-12 (5 stars): So easy to make and so good, no frosting needed
Shannon R on 2026-06-07 (5 stars): This is a great recipe! Super easy and really delicious!
K S on 2026-06-06 (5 stars): so delicious!! Way better than any box mix, and easier than other homemade brownies. I'm at high altitude, and used an 8x8 pan, so it took about 35 minutes.
Safiya on 2026-05-30 (5 stars): Just made this, so delicious and fudgy!
Shirley D on 2026-05-26 (5 stars): These are so good!! I have made them twice this week. Thanks for the great recipe.
Patricia Patton on 2026-05-19 (5 stars): I love the recipe! The thing I did wrong was after baking 23 minutes it still wasn’t done. I cooked it 3 more minutes and it still wasn’t done but I took it out anyway and left it cool over night. It was stuck on the bottom. Suggestions for what I did wrong please!
Annie on 2026-05-18 (5 stars): Sam, Your my go to for cookies, cakes, brownies etc. This brownie recipe is the best in my opinion. My husband can’t stop eating them. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes.
Carole DeSalvo on 2026-05-18 (5 stars): Made these but added walnuts (our preference). Easy to make and let me tell you my husband said these are the best brownies he ever had and I agree!!!!! This will be my go-to recipe for brownies! No more boxed mixes for me.
