Indulge your chocolate fantasy with these easy-to-make Cocoa Powder Brownies.
Chocolate is one of those ingredients that transcend all boundaries. It will put a smile on your face, no matter whether you’re young or old, big or small, boy or girl. It doesn’t matter which form it takes, either. Chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake, or, as demonstrated in today’s recipe: chocolate brownies. They come out soft, moist, chewy, and packed with flavor.
These cocoa powder brownies are incredibly easy to make. They take about as much time as those packaged mixes but taste so much better. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a hot pan of ooey, gooey, rich, chocolate brownies. This simple homemade recipe is kid-safe—perfect for those times when the little ones want to help out in the kitchen (just make sure no one starts licking the mixing spoons too early!).
The Early Days of Chocolate
Chocolate has a vibrant history that dates back over 5,000 years. It is derived from the cacao plant and is native to Central and South America. Some of the earliest recipes for using cacao come from ancient Olmec, Mayan, and Aztec tribes of South America, among others. This chocolate is a far cry from what we enjoy today, as it was often consumed as a bitter beverage. Think hot chocolate flavored with honey and chili peppers.
Cacao was even touted for its health benefits. Many people today have a bit of dark chocolate for its heart-healthy properties, including lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow and preventing cell damage. Cocoa powder also has polyphenols and antioxidants that help to improve cholesterol and blood-sugar levels.
FAQs & Tips
How do I prep and store these brownies?
These cocoa powder brownies are excellent when made ahead of time. Once you’ve cut the cooled brownies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature for 4-5 days. They can also be frozen and saved in the freezer for up to three months. To serve your frozen brownies, let them thaw out overnight in the fridge then pop them back in an oven preheated to 350°F for about five minutes to reheat them.
Do I need to sift my dry ingredients?
Yes, we do recommend that you sift your dry ingredients. This will make sure you do not have any large lumps in your batter. No one wants to take a bite of a brownie and get a large chunk of salt or flour. It also ensures your ingredients are evenly distributed.
Don’t over-mix!
When making your brownies, make sure you don’t over-mix your batter! If you do, your brownies may come out too dense. Once all your ingredients have been incorporated, stop mixing!
Serving Suggestions
These chocolatey treats can be cut into smaller pieces and served as little brownie bites at parties and picnics. You can also personalize them by adding in your favorite nut, chocolate chips, and even dried fruit. I love to add walnuts and butterscotch chips to mine, while my wife absolutely loves white chocolate chips in hers. If you want to take these easy cocoa powder brownies to another level entirely then I have just the thing for you.
Grab a bowl and place a warm brownie in the center, add a scoop of your favorite ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle on a few chopped walnuts, a spoonful of chocolate chips, and a cherry on top. Now you have a cocoa powder brownie sundae that is sure to turn heads.
If you are a chocolate lover like me, then I have a few other recipes you are definitely going to enjoy. These Cream-filled Chocolate Cupcakes are a favorite of mine, as are my Chocolate Chia Pudding and Chocolate Overnight Oats. Both are super simple and packed with tons of chocolatey goodness.
Cocoa Powder Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil vegetable or canola oil
- 1 1/8 cup superfine sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the hot melted butter, oil, and sugar for about one minute.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat until the mixture is lighter in color, approximately one minute.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. Fold gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The brownies are done when the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature before slicing into 16 pieces.
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