Craving a batch of brownies but don’t have any chocolate on hand? No worries! These easy, fudgy brownies made with cocoa powder are the answer to your chocolate cravings. They’re rich, chewy, and packed with deep chocolate flavor, perfect for when you’re short on time or ingredients but still want something better than box brownie mix!
Chewy Fudgy Cocoa Brownies – The Ultimate Chocolate Treat
Craving a rich, chocolatey dessert? These chewy cocoa brownies are the answer! Whether you’re out of chocolate chips or just looking for an easier way to indulge in chocolate goodness, these brownies are the perfect solution. With just a few basic pantry staples, you can create a fudgy, chewy brownie that’s bursting with deep cocoa flavor. Plus, you won’t need to fuss with melting chocolate or dealing with chunky bits. These brownies come together quickly, making them ideal for those moments when a sweet craving strikes.
This recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros. I’ll walk you through every step, share pro tips for the perfect brownie texture, and provide helpful storage and variation ideas. Get ready to bake the perfect batch of brownies! Since you’re here, I am sure you’d love this sweet cream cold brew or even this chocolate cream cold brew with your fresh batch of brownies so check those out!
Why These Chewy Cocoa Brownies Are So Special
These chewy brownies stand out for several reasons:
- Perfect with Ice Cream: Warm brownies topped with vanilla ice cream make the ultimate dessert.
- Quick & Easy to Make: Ready in just 30 minutes, these brownies satisfy your chocolate cravings fast.
- Fudgy & Chewy Texture: With the perfect balance of fudgy and chewy, these brownies offer a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- No Need for Chocolate Chips: Made with basic ingredients, no melting or chopping chocolate required.
- Ideal for Chocolate Cravings: A quick, comforting treat when you need it most.
What You’ll Need:
- Butter: Rich and indulgent, no substitutes here!
- Brown Sugar: Adds that irresistible chewiness.
- Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and balance.
- Salt– Always add salt to your baked goods! that’s how you create an extra depth of flavor!
- Eggs: The key to achieving that fudgy, dense texture (2 eggs is the magic number here).
- Cocoa powder- The star of the show for deep chocolate flavor.
- All Purpose Flour: Keeps the brownies dense and chewy.
- Optional Add-ins: Chopped nuts (pecans work great!) or chocolate chips for extra richness.
Tips for Making the Best Cocoa Brownies
- Use Good-Quality Cocoa Powder: Since cocoa powder is the main source of chocolate flavor in these brownies, high-quality cocoa will ensure your brownies taste amazing.
- Don’t Overmix: Once the dry ingredients are added to the wet, gently fold them in to avoid introducing too much air. Overmixing can lead to a cakey brownies instead of a chewy ones.
- Watch the Bake Time: Over-baking will dry out your brownies, so keep a close eye on them! You want them set in the center but still soft.
- Let the Brownies Cool: As tempting as it is to dig in immediately, let them cool to room temperature so they set properly.
Can I Make Brownies Without Chocolate?
Absolutely! This recipe shows you how to create rich, fudgy brownies using only cocoa powder, so you don’t need any chocolate chips or melted chocolate. I’ve experimented with this recipe to bring you the best version of a chewy brownie without the usual ingredients. Next time you’re out of chocolate, just whip up this simple recipe and enjoy a delicious batch of brownies in under 30 minutes!
How to Make These Cocoa Powder Brownies (Step by Step)
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 1-2 minutes. Add in the large eggs and vanilla, beating until the mixture lightens in color (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until just combined, don’t overmix!
- Add Optional Ingredients: If you’re using nuts or chocolate chips, stir them in gently.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spread it out evenly, and bake for 18-20 minutes. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool & Slice: Let the brownies cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing them into squares.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
How to Store Brownies
These brownies are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container:
- At room temperature, they will keep for up to 3 days.
- In the fridge, they can last up to 7 days. In fact, they’re even more fudgy when chilled!
Extra Tips for Extra Chewy Brownies
- Limit the Eggs: This recipe calls for only 2 eggs, which helps keep the brownies dense and fudgy. More eggs would make them cakier.
- Don’t Skip the Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is key for creating chewy brownies. The molasses in brown sugar helps retain moisture and adds a delicious depth of flavor.
- Under-bake Slightly: If you want super chewy brownies, slightly under-bake them. They’ll continue to cook as they cool, and you’ll have the perfect fudgy texture. Reduce the cook time by a minute or two in this case. Start checking then by inserting a wooden skewer in the center, if it comes out with a few moist crumbs your brownies are ready!
Can I add nuts to the brownies?
Yes! Pecans (or any nuts) are a great addition for extra texture and flavor. But they’re totally optional if you prefer your brownies without.
Can I substitute chocolate chips?
If you’d like, you can add chocolate chips in place of or in addition to the pecans. The brownies will still be fudgy and rich, with an extra burst of chocolate flavor.
Ready to Make These Chewy Brownies?
These cocoa powder brownies are the ultimate one-bowl treat. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make the most delicious, chewy brownies, no chocolate chips needed!
Easy Chewy Brownies With Cocoa Powder
Equipment
- bowl + whisk
- Sifter
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup pecans optional
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- First start by preheating the oven to 350F then lightly grease an 8X8 baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, the brown sugar, and the granulated sugar together for about 1 minute. Add the eggs and the vanilla and beat until the colors becomes lighter. (about another minutes or two)
- Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and salt and gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined. DO NO OVER MIX. Add in the nuts if you decide to use those and fold lightly.
- Pour the cocoa powder brownie batter in the prepared baking pan and spread evenly then place in the oven to bake for 18-20 minutes. The brownies should be set and if tested with a toothpick should have some moist crumbs attached to it. Let the brownies cool completely before slicing into them.
- If not eating these chewy brownies on the same day wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to three days or in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Amy Moore
These are amazing! So simple, so good. I made these for a dinner party when I ran out of time to make the complicated dessert I had planned on. I needed something quick with the ingredients I had on hand. I did add the chocolate chips but skipped the nuts. I also sprinkled the top with plain M&M’s before baking them. They came out delicious. Really they aren’t any more trouble than a boxed mix. One bowl, delicious and very special.
Chahinez
I’m so glad to hear that!!! M&M’s on top sounds AMAZING!!
Nola
Mixing this up now. How much vanilla? I cannot find that measure anywhere on this recipe.
Lifestyle of a Foodie
Hi Nola,
I’m responding an hour too late, but this recipe doesn’t have vanilla in it. If you added a few teaspoons it should be fine 🙂
How did it turn out?
Have a great evening!
Chahinez