Description

These Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies deliver a perfectly fudgy and rich chocolate experience with minimal ingredients and effort. With simple pantry staples and a quick mixing method, these brownies are easy to make yet deeply satisfying. They have a dense, moist texture with a crackly top and a melt-in-your-mouth finish, perfect for any chocolate lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups granulated sugar (420 grams)
2/3 cup cocoa powder (62 grams)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (98 grams)
1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup salted butter, melted (226 grams)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional but recommended)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350° F. Line a metal 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the brownies.
Mix Sugar and Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, add the granulated sugar and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed for 3-4 minutes, until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture feels smooth between your fingers without graininess.
Add Wet Ingredients: Whisk in the melted salted butter and vanilla extract (if using), blending thoroughly to combine.
Fold in Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then fold them gently into the wet mixture until you have a thick batter. Optionally, stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips here for extra chocolatey goodness.
Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 33 to 38 minutes. The top should look set with a thin crust. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center – it should come out with thick, moist crumbs but no raw batter. Avoid overbaking, as they will continue to set as they cool.
Cool and Serve: Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing to achieve the perfect fudgy texture. Store cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

The addition of salt and vanilla extract technically increases the ingredient count beyond five, but they significantly enhance flavor without complicating the recipe.
Using a metal baking dish is recommended as it helps brownies bake evenly and develop a perfect crust.
Test doneness by eye and texture rather than time alone, as oven temperatures vary widely.
If you want an extra chocolate boost, stir in 1 cup chocolate chips before baking.
Allow the brownies to cool fully for optimal fudgy texture – cutting them too early will make them appear underbaked.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: brownies, chocolate brownies, fudgy brownies, easy dessert, 5 ingredient brownies, simple brownie recipe