If you have a crazy chocolate craving that will only be cured by rich, extra fudgy brownies, then these are for you. Fudgy and dense cocoa powder brownies are obnoxiously decadent and delicious.
Save yourself the trouble of melting chocolate without sacrificing any flavor in these cocoa powder brownies!
These dark chocolate cocoa brownies are thick and fudgy. I would say that they are almost too decadent, but I thoroughly enjoyed every last bite.
Cocoa brownies are super easy to make. You can make them by hand or with a mixer using just a handful of basic baking ingredients. No chopping or melted chocolate required.
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Cocoa Powder vs Chocolate Brownies
As you might be able to guess, it is the cocoa powder that makes these brownies different than others. We will still use solid chocolate by way of chocolate chips, but the main source of chocolate flavors lies in the cocoa powder, not melted chocolate.
Cocoa powder is unsweetened while bars of chocolate typically contain fat and sugar.
The result of using cocoa powder in a brownie recipe is the thick, fudgy centers and shiny, crisp top. Cocoa brownies are ultimately more chocolatier while those made with melted chocolate tend to be sweeter and chewier.
Ingredients
- Large eggs
- Unsweetened cocoa power
- Granulated white sugar
- Canola or vegetable oil
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Fine sea salt
- Chocolate chips
Tools and Equipment
This easy recipe doesn't require any specialty tools or utensils. You will need:
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Microwave-safe mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Flexible spatula
- 8 x 8-inch pan
Instructions for Easy Cocoa Powder Brownies
These fudge brownies comes together quickly in a few mixing bowls.
Melt the butter and stir in the cocoa powder. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until pale.
Add the cocoa mixture into the egg mixture and combine. Add the flour and salt.
Fold the batter together until combined.
Add the chocolate chips before baking.
Variations
Peanut Butter Brownies - the slightly tangy Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting balances the rich brownies perfectly.
Vanilla Frosted Brownies - add swoops of Whipped Buttercream Frosting and sprinkles for party brownies!
Caramel Brownies - drizzle with Salted Caramel Sauce before serving.
Storage
The baked cocoa brownies may be stored covered at room temperature for up to three days. Depending on the frosting selected (if using), they may need to be stored in the refrigerated.
Cocoa Powder Brownie FAQs
Cocoa powder add tons of chocolate flavor to fudge brownies without having to melt bars of chocolate.
Cocoa brownies are ultimately more chocolatier while those made with melted chocolate tend to be sweeter and chewier. They are dense and fudgy, not cakey.
Related Recipes to Try
Recipe
Fudgy and Dense Cocoa Powder Brownies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup canola or vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8 X 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the cocoa powder and oil until combined.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until pale, 2 to 3 minutes. Combine the egg mixture with the cocoa mixture until smooth.
- Add the flour and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add the chocolate chips and fold to combine.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. When done, the top will be dry to the touch but a toothpick inserted into the center should still have a few moist crumbs clingy to it.
- Cool the brownies on a wire rack.
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