Brownies Made With Cocoa Powder

These rich and delicious cocoa powder brownies are almost as easy as making brownies from a mix, but the taste is so much better! These brownies have the perfect brownie texture and they travel well. 

Prep time: PT15M

Cook time: PT30M

Total time: PT45M

Rating

4.93 stars (310 reviews)

Keywords

brownies

Ingredients

10 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cuisine

American

Steps

Position your oven rack in the lower third of your oven.
Preheat oven to 325ºF
Line a 8-inch square pan with parchment or alumni paper. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder and salt in a large bowl, preferably glass, and place bowl over a pan of water that is just barely simmering. Stir occasionally until butter is melted and mixture is combined.
Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. You do not want the mixture too hot when you add the eggs.
After mixture has cooled slightly, add vanilla and mix well.
Add eggs, one at a time, and beat vigorously until very well mixed.
In a separate bowl combine flour and baking powder, and stir to combine.
Add flour mixture to batter, and mix very well to combine. While we are often told not to over mix brownies, this batter needs to be stirred vigorously. Stirring about 40 strokes with a spoon is a good guide.
If adding chocolate chips and or nuts, fold them into the batter.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a tester comes out with some moist crumbs attached. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Serve and enjoy. If not eating the same day, wrap or cover tightly.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 207 kcal
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg
Sodium: 86 mg
Sugar: 19 g

Reviews

Mary Easterling on 2026-02-28 (5 stars):
I made these by mixing all the dry ingredients then adding the melted butter with the other wet ingredients. I confess that I did not finish reading through the recipe until I had already mixed the dry ingredients. Anyway, they turned out fine. I found them to he a little too crumbly right out of the oven, but perfectly fudgey the next day. I will make these again and try reducing the sugar. I prefer a less sweet dessert. Overall, this is a great recipe with a very chocolaty brownie flavor.
Donna on 2026-02-05 (5 stars):
I only have salted butter. Is that ok, or should I reduce the salt in the recipe any?
Kara on 2026-01-25 (5 stars):
I just made these and they are soooo good they literally came out perfect! Thank you!
Pamela on 2026-01-18 (5 stars):
28 grams per ounce
Pamela on 2026-01-18 (4 stars):
Recipes are written in a certain order, wet ingredients first, the dry ingredients. This recipe is confusing as I have dementia. Format helps. Great brownies.
Kathleen A Thornton on 2026-01-11 (5 stars):
best brownies I've ever tasted especially if you add chocolate chips to the recipe. Very rich
Tracy May on 2025-12-24 (5 stars):
I made these exactly as the recipe directs, and added the optional chocolate chips. I checked it at 30 minutes but the toothpick was still a little wet, so I baked them about 7 minutes longer and the toothpick came out mostly clean, just a few crumbs. So next time I will bake them for 35 minutes straight. I have never made brownies before, but these thurned out exactly as I was hoping for!! My husband immediately ate 1/4th of them I am saving this recipe and will definitely use it again. Thank you sooooooo very much!! Brownie craving satisfied!!! God bless you!!
Linda M Collins on 2025-12-20 (5 stars):
Everybidy thst ate one wanted the recipe! Big hit! I put Andes mint chios in batter.
Tony on 2025-11-15 (5 stars):
these were fantastic. I doubled the recipe and poured the batter into a very hot cast iron skillet. got them into the oven at 325 and they were perfect.
William G Keyworth on 2025-10-11 (5 stars):
WOW! I used Truvia Cane Sugar Blend instead of white sugar. I didn't use 1/2 as much as was called for, but still taste great! Great consistency, I let mine cook for an extra 15 minutes. Absolutely delish!
Robin Gold on 2025-10-04 (4 stars):
I hope the 1/2 cup of flour is correct, mine are in the oven now. The batter was delicious, hoping the brownies are too.
Diana Peters on 2025-09-05 (5 stars):
Perfect, however no need for all the fuss. Melt butter in a bowl and add all ingredients on top, with eggs last and mix with well with beater. Ready to pop in oven in under 5 minutes. These are delicious 😋
Hayden Mills on 2025-06-17 (5 stars):
These were great! Now my fav dessert