Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter – cut into pieces
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (43g)
- 1/4 tsp fine salt
- 2 large large eggs – room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (90g)

Instructions
- 1.
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang, and lightly grease the sides.
- 2.
Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, then remove from the heat.
- 3.
Add the granulated sugar and whisk until glossy and slightly warm, 30–60 seconds.
- 4.
Whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder and fine salt until smooth and well combined.
- 5.
Whisk in the large eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, then whisk in the vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously for 30–60 seconds until the batter looks thick and shiny.
- 6.
Switch to a spatula and fold in the all-purpose flour just until no dry streaks remain; do not overmix.
- 7.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- 8.
Bake until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs (not wet batter), 20–25 minutes.
- 9.
Cool the pan on a rack for at least 1 hour to set.
- 10.
Use the parchment to lift the brownies out, then cut into 12 squares and serve.
Brownies are a dense, chocolate-forward bar cookie with a fudgy center, tender edges, and a thin, shiny crust on top. They balance the deep bitterness of cocoa with sweetness and butter richness, offering a compact hit of chocolate in every bite. Enjoyed plain or dusted with sugar, they are equally at home as a lunchbox treat or a plated dessert with ice cream.
Originating in the United States, brownies emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century and quickly became a hallmark of American home baking. Stories point to early cookbook mentions and hotel pastry kitchens as catalysts, with versions ranging from fudgy to cakey developing over time. Today they remain a cultural staple, spawning countless variations while the simple cocoa–butter–egg–flour formula persists at the core.
