one bowl brownies
Note to self: don’t even try to set about tackling an iconic dessert recipe like One Bowl Brownies without digging in for the long haul of recipe testing. The brownie recipe itself couldn’t be simpler. After all, you only need one bowl to make it! But perfecting the rich, dense, and fudgy texture with that perfect shiny top, THAT was another story.
I have been testing this fudgy brownie recipe for six weeks. It may or may not have turned my hair gray overnight. That is a secret between me and my hair stylist. And I have to say that I was going to tell you all about it, and how I tested it and even chatted with my fellow food science lover Chef Becca to try to figure out how to make these one bowl brownies uber dense and fudgy, but after testing this so many times, I barely want to look at it anymore. Much less spout off for 500 words about it. They’re great, don’t get me wrong. It’s not them, it’s me. So I’m going to keep this post short for my own sanity.
Part of the deal is that One Bowl Brownies, unlike fancy brownies such as Gluten-Free Caramel Brownies, which are all about the contrast in textures and flavors. On the flip side, these have to be perfect in their simplicity. Just a bit of a crust on the top, thick and fudgy on the inside, and 100% chocolatey tasting. Simple, but apparently, many test later, not so simple to perfect!
How to Make One Bowl Brownies
I don’t know how I could make this fudgy brownie recipe any easier! Here’s how I made these incredible one bowl brownies:
1. Melt the butter and chocolate — Melt the butter and the dark chocolate chips in the microwave for 30-second intervals. Stir the mixture after each interval and continue microwaving until fully melted (it shouldn’t take more than a minute or so).
2. Mix in the rest of the ingredients — Add the sugar to the butter mixture and mix with a silicone spatula to combine. Then add the eggs and vanilla and beat until completely combined. Finally, add in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
3. Bake the brownies — Spread batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake until the brownies are puffed and the center is set up. Let the one bowl brownies cool in the baking pan on a wire cooling rack for at least one hour before cutting into them.
Cooks Notes for One Bowl Brownies:
I ended up settling on a cooler oven temp so that these fudgy brownies would not rise as much, yielding a richer texture. I also ended up increasing the sugar a bit to make them shinier on top (this was upon the recommendation of Chef Becca. Thanks, friend! That worked!).
Err on the side of slightly under-baking the one bowl brownies (28 minutes) if you like a fudgier result. Or let them bake the entire 32 minutes for them to set up completely for a slightly more cakey brownie. It is normal for the center to fall ever so slightly if you are on the short end of the scale.
I did test this easy brownie recipe with maple sugar (I just had to!!), and they browned a bit too much on the edges. If you’re okay with that, and you prefer to use a natural sweetener, then I say go for it. The chocolate does overpower the maple flavor, though.
These one bowl brownies are super chocolatey and dense. Way more so than the healthy brownie recipes I have shared in the past. Once they are cool, cut them into 16 brownies for portion control. See nutrition facts below. And since we’re on the topic of one bowl baking, check out this awesome one bowl Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Bread by Beaming Baker. I love a good chocolate and pumpkin combo, so thinking these two would be BFF’s on a nice sweet treat platter!
More Easy Chocolate Dessert Recipes:
Dark Chocolate Matcha Truffles
Skinny Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake
Fudgy Greek Yogurt Trail Mix Brownies
Gluten-Free Buckwheat Chocolate Cookies
Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Raspberry Tart
Printone bowl brownies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
These one bowl brownies require 10 minutes of hands-on prep work and are perfectly dense, moist, and fudgy. The easiest brownie recipe ever? Definitely!
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup flour
- 1/4 cup (natural) cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place butter and chocolate chips in a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds. Stir the butter and chocolate and return to the microwave. Microwave again for 30 seconds and stir until the chocolate is completely melted. (Repeat for an additional 15 to 30 seconds if needed to fully melt the chocolate.)
- Add sugar and mix with a silicone spatula to combine. Add eggs and beat until completely combined. Add vanilla and mix until completely combined. Add flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt and stir until completely moistened.
- Spread batter in the prepared baking dish. Bake until the brownies are puffed and the center is set up, 28 to 32 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire cooling rack for at least one hour before cutting into 16 brownies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 187
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 94mg 4%
- Fat: 11g 17%
- Saturated Fat: 7g 35%
- Carbohydrates: 23g 8%
- Fiber: 2g 6%
- Protein: 1g 3%
This is the go-to from now on! Super Bowl Sunday and these are in the oven. Superb~
★★★★★
Good recipe, it’s just that I forgot oven at 180C and it came out cakey with dry edges, so be careful with that, 28 min.too long. But very nice bitter choc flavour with a hint of matcha, lovely with an expresso. I used Lindt 70%choc,also added 4 tbsp yogurt, 1/2 cup coco sugar, some chopped walnuts and a swirl made of some batter with 2tsp matcha. Flour was almond meal and buckwheat.wish I could save it in Pintetest. Thanks!
★★★★
Glad to know it came out with your modifications Laura. Sounds like you had fun! Thanks for coming back to review.
We loved them fudgy! Perfect when we needed some decadent to snack on!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you liked them. Thanks for coming back to review too!
This was such an easy yet quick to make brownie recipe. I topped each portion off with a big scoop of ice cream and everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Sam- thank you for the comment and rating, and you have the right idea over there! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
You had me at brownies and then you add in one bowl!? I’m in! Thanks for sharing such a tasty and easy recipe!
★★★★★
Laura,
Thanks so much for your comment! I too am a sucker for brownies that are less clean up and easy!
These brownies are perfect! I am so glad you tested all those variables!
★★★★★
We have made these many times and they come out perfectly each time! Love these!
★★★★★
Lauren, thanks for the comment and rating! I’m so glad it’s become a favorite recipe for you!
And just like that I’m craving brownies!!!!
Ha ha Jocelyn! Have at ’em!
These look marvelous, Katie. I love how easy they are to whip up too! xo, Catherine
That’s so nice of you Catherine. Have a wonderful day.
Mmmmmm… I love brownies… Yummy…
Thanks so much James, have a great day.
Oh my goodness! Those are some downright gorgeous and fudgy looking brownies, Katie!
I’m so glad that you finally developed the recipe to meet your expectations, but what a bummer that you’re sick of them. If you’re wanting them out of your face, feel free to send them my way. m’kay? 😉
Ha! Will do my friend! And thanks again for your help!
It’s a perfect recipe! I’m definitely doing it.
That’s awesome Marta, let me know what you think!
brownies have to be one of my favourite things to make.. and i haven’t ever tried one that i didn’t like. definitely have to try out this recipe – they look wonderful! Xx
That’s so true! Hope you do Thalia.
i need a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream to go with this!
Now that’s a great idea!
It sounds like dream recipe for a dream dessert!
Why thank you my friend!