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The Ultimate Fudgy and Chewy Brownies with a Crackly Top

Close-up of three fudgy brownies stacked on a white plate, showing a rich, dark interior and shiny top crust.

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Make the best homemade brownies from scratch. This simple, one-bowl recipe delivers rich, dark chocolate flavor with a dense, fudgy center and the perfect shiny, crackly top.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter completely. Remove from heat.
  3. Whisk the granulated sugar into the melted butter until fully combined. This step helps create the crackly top.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix only until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  8. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes. The edges should look set, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist, fudgy crumbs attached, not wet batter.
  9. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment overhang.
  10. Cut into squares and serve your gooey chocolate treats.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar with packed light brown sugar.
  • If you want extra fudgy brownies, reduce the baking time by 2 minutes.
  • You can add 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter before baking for added texture.

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