Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chunks (optional)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Melt the Butter:
In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, melt the butter until it’s completely liquid. Allow it to cool slightly.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Sift Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder to remove any lumps.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix; just make sure there are no visible streaks of dry ingredients.
7. Add Flour:
Gently fold in the all-purpose flour until fully incorporated into the batter.
8. Optional Mix-Ins:
If you’re adding chocolate chips or nuts, gently fold them into the batter at this point.
9. Transfer to Baking Pan:
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
10. Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Be cautious not to overbake, as you want the brownies to be fudgy.
11. Cool:
Allow the brownies to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15-20 minutes. You can then lift them out using the parchment paper and let them cool completely on the wire rack.
12. Slice and Enjoy:
Once the brownies are completely cool, cut them into squares or rectangles. Serve and enjoy your homemade brownies!
These brownies are rich, fudgy, and perfect for chocolate lovers. You can also customize them with your favorite mix-ins, such as caramel, peanut butter, or mint chips.