Fudgy and moist these homemade fudge brownies are better than anything you’d ever make from a box!
I have a confession to make. For a really long time I did not like brownies from scratch. I tried recipe after recipe and every single time the bitter taste of cocoa powder overwhelmed me and I just couldn’t handle it. So I would revert to my favorite trusty red boxed mix. A couple eggs, some oil, and water and I was good to go. Every once in awhile I’d get fancy and swirl in some peanut butter, crush up some Oreo’s, or drop in some white chocolate chips but I stopped deviating from the boxed mix.
Then one day last month I woke up out of a dead sleep {kinda like I did with these brown sugar scones} wanting needing brownies. Problem. Not a boxed mix in sight. Plus, I’m kinda done with the boxed mixes now. I’d say that my very last hold out to processed ingredients would be canned soups. Don’t look at me like that! I’m working on it!
But back to these brownies. In true me fashion I found a good recipe on Pinterest, stripped it down to the bare essentials and did whatever the heck I wanted to with it. The result? The best homemade fudge brownies I’ve ever had. Legit. Maybe it’s because I don’t eat things from boxes anymore that the cocoa powder taste doesn’t even register these days. But whatever the reason I’m eternally grateful because ohmygoodnessgracious. Yes, please.
While most brownie recipes call for oil this one uses melted butter. I think I’ve just proven my theory that everything tastes better with butter! You’re welcome 😉 I’ve decided that the secret to these brownies and hiding the bitter, unsweetened cocoa powder taste is mixing the cocoa powder with the melted butter to create a chocolate-y paste rather than sifting it in with the dry ingredients. And seriously if that’s all that takes I’m ok with it. Now I’m ready to go forth and chocolate all the things!
The last time I made these they didn’t even last long enough for pictures. Who’s complaining that this required another batch? Zero people. These probably won’t last the week. Oh heck, who am I kidding? They probably won’t last through tomorrow! Which is totally fine because I’m doing something verrrrrrry interesting with this recipe next week for our Chopped Inspired Challenge!
For now though just enjoy the chocolate fudgy goodness that is these phenomenal better than boxed brownies! And be prepared to triple the batch. At least.
Do you have a recipe you always loved from a box?
Homemade Fudge Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 ½ sticks butter
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 8x8 pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving enough hanging over the sides.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. In a microwave safe dish melt the butter and stir in the cocoa powder until completely incorporated.
- With the mixer on low slowly pour in the chocolate mixture and mix until well combined.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt directly into the mixing bowl and beat until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix gently to make sure all the ingredients on completely incorporated.
- Pour into prepared pan and reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes. Inside should still be slightly fudgy but not liquid.
Elaine Punchard
Saturday 7th of August 2021
Had only made brownies once before and they were bitter. I liked them but my husband didn't. I googled non bitter brownie recipe and found this and they were delicious. I messed up a bit and didn't read reduce oven to 325 but they were still great and not bitter. Thank you, recipe is a keeper. I added walnuts.
Erin
Friday 7th of August 2015
I have never liked brownies from scratch either! I always thought they actually tasted better from the box. In fact when I saw this recipe I was like eh, those look good but I like the box kind. But hearing you say you once felt the same way and had a change of heart after creating these is making me think I should try them as well!
Meaghan
Saturday 8th of August 2015
I have always thought they tasted better from a box! And these are finally the boxed-obsessed-brownie-eater's dream. Seriously, I'd love to hear from a fellow boxed brownie addict so if you try them let me know!
~Meaghan