Homemade Brownies

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate (chopped or chips)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Optional Add-Ins:

• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks
• A sprinkle of sea salt on top

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Melt the Chocolate and Butter:
   In a heatproof bowl, melt the butter and chocolate together (in the microwave or over a double boiler). Stir until smooth and glossy. Let cool slightly.
3. Add Sugars and Eggs:
   Whisk in granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well combined and slightly thickened.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients — just until combined.
5. Bake:
   Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool and Slice:
   Allow brownies to cool completely before slicing (if you can wait that long!). This helps them set for the perfect fudgy texture.

Tips for Perfect Homemade Brownies

• Don’t overbake: The secret to fudgy brownies is pulling them out just before they’re fully set.
• Use good-quality chocolate: It makes all the difference in flavor.
• For cakier brownies: Add an extra egg and bake for a few minutes longer.
• Cool before cutting: This helps them hold their shape and keeps the edges clean.

Fun Variations

• Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter into the batter and swirl with a knife before baking.
• Espresso Brownies: Add a teaspoon of instant coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Mint Chocolate: Mix in mint extract and top with crushed peppermint candy for a holiday twist.
• Salted Caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

A Bite of Homemade Happiness

There’s something magical about brownies made from scratch — rich, simple, and perfectly sweet. They’re the dessert that never goes out of style and always brings people together.

Whether you bake them for a special occasion or just because you’re craving something chocolatey, Homemade Brownies remind us that the best things in life are often the simplest — a little butter, sugar, and cocoa can go a long way toward making the world sweeter. 🍫💛