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Would you believe that brownies made with just cocoa powder can be rich, fudgy, and irresistible?
This post will teach you how to make absolutely delicious brownies with cocoa powder. They’re quick, easy, and only require one bowl.
Cocoa Powder Brownies
Today I’m sharing an easy, one-bowl cocoa powder only brownie recipe.
This is the recipe you can make from scratch when you’re craving something chocolate. It is about to become your go-to recipe when you are in a hurry.
A while back, I shared a homemade brownie mix that is great to keep on hand, and the best made-from-scratch brownies are a popular reader favorite. They’re perfect for when you need something, extra decadent, for a special occasion.
Today’s recipe uses the same ingredients as the homemade brownie mix, only it is written for when you want those brownies now and don’t want to make up a batch of mix ahead of time.
What are the ingredients for a brownie?
This recipe uses pantry staples. If you keep your house stocked with everyday baking essentials, you’ll be prepared whenever a chocolate brownie emergency arises.
For this cocoa powder brownie recipe you’ll need:
- butter (or oil)
- white sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- unsweetened cocoa powder (I like dutch process, but I’ve used regular and it’s great too!)
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
One quick note on the cocoa powder. I like to use dutch process because I think it has a richer, less sharp flavor that is more similar to what you get in a box mix. It’s also darker in color.
The picture below shows the color of the brownies if you use regular cocoa powder. Please note that this recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder for baking, not “powdered hot chocolate cocoa mix.”
Brownie Recipe with Cocoa Powder
Start by melting your butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. You can also use oil or substitute half of the butter for oil. I like the flavor that butter gives, but oil makes them a tad moister.
Next, whisk in the sugar, and make sure the mixture is cooled almost to room temperature. (You don’t want to scramble your eggs)
Add your room temperature eggs and vanilla. (Room temperature so they don’t solidify your butter back into a lump.) And beat well.
I recommend using a hand mixer on high for a minute or two here. Beating well at this stage forms that crackly signature brownie crust.
Add the cocoa, flour, and baking powder, and mix until combined. Pour into a greased or parchment-lined 9 x 13-inch pan and bake at 350 F for 28 minutes or so. Ta da. Warm, homemade, fudgy brownies.
How To Make Brownie Bites
You can also use this basic brownie recipe to make Brownie Bites. Simply spoon the brownie batter into grease mini muffin tins, filling them about 1/2 full. Bake for about 12 minutes or so until set.
A HALF batch of this recipe will fill an 8×8-inch pan. Bake for 24 minutes or until set.
I recommend trying these Smores Brownie Bites or Buckeye Brownie Bites.
Want a few more fun options? Try these Snicker’s Brownie Bites from Butter with a Side of Bread or these Salted Caramel Brownie Bites from Live Well Bake Often.
How to Make Brownies with Cocoa Powder
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter melted
- 2 cups white sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup cocoa powder* see note
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan** with butter or line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar. Make sure the butter mixture is almost room temperature and then add the eggs and vanilla.
- Beat until well incorporated. Beating in the eggs well is what forms that signa mture brownie crust on top.
- Add the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Whisk until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350° F for 28-32 minutes or until center is set. Let cool at least slightly before cutting into bars.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 2/6/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/6/21}
Here are some of my other favorite go-to brownie recipes for when I want something a little more indulgent.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirled Brownies
My 9 yr old daughter chose this recipe based on the Mouth-Savoring Picture! It was Easy and Fun to make together and tasted OH SO YUMMY!!!! My daughter enjoyed learning the role and importance of room temperature eggs and butter in baking too! We used Ghirardelli Cocoa, Quality Butter, and Himalayan Pink Salt. Perfect Balance of flavors and texture to produce AMAZING BROWNIES! Thank You So Much for Sharing!
I’m glad to hear that you and your daughter loved the brownies! Himalayan pink salt is an amazing topping for chocolate baking recipes. Enjoy!
Thanks for the recipe really love the recipes they look so good
You’re welcome, Cristy! I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the brownies. Happy baking.
Was the best brownie’s I have ever made, I cut the recipe in half and turned out beautifully, did have to watch the time in order to get just right ?
I’m so glad you loved the brownies, Carol! Enjoy, and happy baking.
I made these for the holiday this weekend
Followed the recipe to exact. They ere amazing. So chewy . I baked them for 28 minutes. Thank you for sharing❤
You are welcome, Mary. Glad to hear that the brownies turned out wonderfully. Enjoy, and happy baking!
This recipe was so easy to prepare and came out tasting great. Tastes better than box brands. Will use this recipe again but with the Dutch chocolate next time.
I’m so glad you liked the brownies, Cynthia! I hope you enjoy the recipe even more next time; the Dutch chocolate really will make a difference in the final product. Happy baking!
So good. These are not overly sweet, which is a really nice c9mpliment to coffe or milk.
I’m glad you like the brownies, Cecilia!
Just incredible I can’t resist to eat the whole 9×13 pan I made the frosting with these ingredients
¼ cup unsalted butter melted, 56g
⅓ cup cocoa 35g
2 cups confectioners sugar 227g
3 tbsp milk
And it came out amazing it’s like a fudge bar you gotta try this recipe with this brownie recioe enjoy
That sounds delicious, Christian. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the brownies. Enjoy, and happy baking!
Perfect old fashioned brownies that I remember from my childhood! Nowadays, brownies have everything but the kitchen sink in them; these are perfect as they are! Fabulous recipe!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the brownies, Lise! I hope they continue to be a staple in your kitchen.
I made this with King Arthur flour and cocoa. I also added a cup of chopped walnuts. So good. This will now be my goto recipe for brownies.
I want to make these for super-bowl 2023 and you described in your instructions adding soda but the list of ingredients doesn’t show baking powder? So is there supposed to be baking soda in the recipe? These sound wonderful so I just would like to know! Thank you!!
There is no soda needed for these brownies. Thank you for catching that. I removed it. Enjoy!