These 5-Ingredient Brownies are made using only super basic pantry staples! All you need is flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and cocoa powder, and less than 1 hour of time from start-to-finish.
Ok, by now you should know that I have a brownie obsession. It’s a delicious, dangerous problem that I have no intention of stopping. Ever.
I’m convinced that by the end of my blogging career, the number of brownie recipes on my site will be in the double digits. Grant is betting on triple digits.
Oddly enough, I used to strongly dislike brownies. I mean, I would eat them but if there was a dessert table with lots of options, a brownie would be the last thing I would grab. Now I see a brownie and it’s like HELLO ?.
In college, my roommates and I loveeddddd to make brownies so I’m pretty sure that’s what I can attribute the change to. Plus, once I started making brownies from scratch, the game changed for me.
You just can’t beat homemade brownies! Especially ones that are made with
- Only 5 super basic ingredients – WIN
- One bowl
- Minimal equipment – no mixer required here! The only tool you need is a good wooden spoon or a sturdy whisk
, and a trusty ceramic 8×8 pan – I find that baking in glass or ceramic pans give the best results.
, and a trusty 
– I find that baking in glass or ceramic pans give the best results. These best-ever brownies meet all that criteria – and they’re perfectly gooey and fudgy, with that perfect crackly-crisp top that we love. YUM!
Did I mention that they only take about 35 minutes to make – including bake time?? None of this one-hour baking time nonsense – I need my brownies now!
So here’s how you make these little beauties – melt some butter, stir in the sugar, eggs, flour, and cocoa powder and bake them!
That’s it. I mean, I think I could make these with my eyes closed. In my sleep. With one hand behind my back! Ok, just kidding – and I don’t recommend using the oven with your eyes closed ?.
Ways to Dress Up These Brownies:
If you want to amp these brownies up a bit, try adding any of the following mix-ins!
- Chopped nuts – walnuts, pecans, etc.
- Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chunks
- Leftover chopped candy (reese’s cups, Halloween/Christmas/Valentine’s/Easter chocolate)
- White or semi sweet chocolate chips
- Caramel baking chips – I discovered these recently and they’re SO good!
- Frosting – Some of this chocolate cream cheese frosting would put these right over the top! Just make 1/4 of the frosting amount.
I hope these become your new most-loved, favorite, easy, all-occasion brownies! They’ve certainly solidified their place in my dessert repertoire – which as you probably know, is extensive.
More Delicious Brownie Recipes To Try:
Fudgy Gluten-Free Brownies – These are so fudgy and decadent, you’d never know they’re gluten free! Made using just pantry staples and almond flour.
Gooey S’mores Brownies – These are the ultimate s’mores brownies! A layer of graham crackers topped with rich, gooey brownies, and a layer of toasted marshmallows. Add caramel-filled chocolate squares under the marshmallow layer if you’re feeling extra – which you are.
Loaded Peppermint Brownies – Thick, rich brownies topped with crushed candy canes and a drizzle of white and dark chocolate!
Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo + leave a comment!
Be sure to follow bluebowlrecipes on instagram and tag #bluebowlrecipes with your photo! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the bluebowlrecipes Facebook page. I’d love to see what you make!
Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies
These brownies are so fudgy and gooey, with a perfect crackly top. They're made with only 5 ingredients - butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and cocoa powder!
Ingredients
- 2 sticks melted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- Optional - a splash of vanilla and a pinch of salt! Sometimes I do this, sometimes I don't! They're fabulous either way.
Instructions
-
Make the Brownies: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.
Stir together the melted butter and sugar - you can use a mixer if desired, but it's not really necessary in this recipe!
Stir in the eggs, 2 at a time. Add the flour and cocoa powder, and stir until you have a smooth chocolate batter! (Add the vanilla and salt here, if using, and stir.)
-
Bake: Pour the batter into your baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes. The top will look set, and a toothpick inserted will have moist crumbs on it, but it shouldn't have runny batter. (You can also use the tip of a knife to lift up a little piece from the center to more clearly see the doneness, if you have a hard time judging when brownies are done).
-
Serve + Store: Store brownies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for about a week.
Recipe Notes
NOTE: If you want to serve these and have them hold their shape, as usual, you need to let them fully cool before cutting into them! If not, dig in!
NOTE: To help speed the cooling process, you can fill a larger baking dish with ice cubes and a little cold water. Set the baking dish with the brownies inside the ice-filled baking dish (make sure that the water won't come up over the sides into the brownie pan) and let cool that way.
NOTE: Don't use an 8x8 pan - there is too much batter in this recipe for a smaller pan and it may spill over.
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Katelin says
I made this just to try something new, They turned out amazing! I’m definitely making this recipe again.
They were so easy to do….I 100% recommand this recipe if your a new baker or your trying to make something or a special occasion in the last minute this is it..
Thank you so much.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank YOU so much, Katelin for making my recipe & taking the time to leave a comment! Glad you enjoyed the brownies. 🙂
Chelsea says
This recipe was so easy to follow and delicious! I already had everything on hand and only took a few minutes to mix up. Definitely making again!
Stephanie Simmons says
So glad you enjoyed these brownies, Chelsea! 🙂
Judew says
Hi. Do the flour and cocoa powder have to be sifted before adding, or you just add without sifting?
Emily B says
This was so simple and delicious!! I made in a 9×13 pan, baked for 22 minutes. They’re perfect!
Stephanie Simmons says
Glad you enjoyed these Emily! Thanks for giving them a try. 🙂
Betsy says
The horrible mess in my oven right now tells me that an 8 x 8 pan is much too small for this receipe as others have suggested. The mix is running over the sides and after 35 minutes is still complete liquid everywhere except the edges and top. So disappointed and don’t think I will be able to salvage anything! This was supposed to be for my husband’s birthday dinner and he’ll get store bought brownies instead.
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Betsy – I’m so sorry to hear that this recipe didn’t turn out for you. I’ve just updated the recipe to reflect this – the instructions now say to bake in a 9×9 pan and not an 8×8. I’m sorry again that this happened, especially when you were hoping to make something for a special occasion. If you have a 9×9 pan and a little extra time, perhaps you could give them another go. 🙂
Caroline says
These are amazing! I love that they are just 5 ingredients and can be done in one bowl. The bonus too is that these are all store cupboard ingredients! My oven runs cool so I knew they’d need a few extra minutes and they were perfect. The exact blend of fudgy but with a little crisp on top. They lasted 6 hours in my house….
Stephanie Simmons says
Glad to hear you loved these brownies, Caroline! They always disappear quickly in our house too 🙂
Anton Gregus says
Delicious! I put chocolate chips in it, and it was AMAZING. So moist and delicious.
Stephanie Simmons says
So glad you enjoyed these! Thanks for leaving a comment. 🙂
Kathy says
It doesn’t specify on the flour is it self rising or plain flour? I would think plane with the eggs but I wanted to make sure.
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Kathy! It’s plain (all-purpose) flour. Happy baking!
Kristin Gustafson says
These are phenomenal!! They are as easy to make as described. I will definitely make these again. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks, Kristin! So glad you enjoyed them ❤️
Breana Jenner says
I tried these last night and they were so good. I love when I can find an easy brownie recipe that someone made. But as soon as I put them on the plate and left the room for a minute my siblings came in and ate them all but one.
Stephanie Simmons says
So glad you enjoyed these, Breana! Better make two batches next time 🙂
Melody says
These are in the oven as I type! A little midnight baking. 😛 I only had one stick of butter so I subbed the rest with olive oil. I opted to add vanilla and salt and the batter tasted sooo good. Can’t wait!!
Stephanie Simmons says
Sounds delish!! Let me know how they turn out – that olive oil trick might come in handy for me ?. And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, Melody! ❤️
Jordan says
Literally the best brownies I have ever made! I was impressed with how balanced these brownies were. They had the perfect crisp side, and soft center. This is my new go to recipe! Thank you for sharing!!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Jordan!! So glad you love these brownies – they’re one of my favorite recipes! ❤️??
Maria says
We’re in australia and not sure how much a stick of butter is as we work in metric system (grams). How much butter in grams or oz?
Thank you!
Stephanie Simmons says
It would be 4oz of butter! ☺️ hope that helps!
Hana says
Made these today, brownies are a beloved dessert in our house and we love heating them up again in the microwave and then digging in with a scoop of ice cream. As soon as I pulled these out my siblings ran to them, and they’re already finished. I added chocolate chips to the batter, it made it even more gooey and amazing!! Thank you for this great recipe.
Stephanie Simmons says
Wow Hana – thanks so much for your kind comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed these brownies ❤️
Holly says
Can I. grease the pan instead of using parchment paper?
Stephanie Simmons says
Yes that should work fine!
Aaron says
I added 2 eggs instead of 4 and it looks so nice and ready. Should I add the other 2 now?
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Aaron! Yes, add the other 2 eggs for a total of 4. I’ve never tried the recipe with less eggs so I have no idea how it would turn out – it might not work.
Vicki says
I love cinnamon
So added some to recipe
Gracious Me
Delish recipe & SIMPLE
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks for your comment Vicki! Glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Tonya says
I made these last night and I still can’t lay off of them! I keep pinching off a sliver and you know there are less calories that way if it’s just a sliver. Kidding aside, they were just as you said they would be! Incredibly moist inside and some crunch outside! I’d like to try mixing these with some toasted pecans next time…and there WILL be a next time. 😀
Stephanie Simmons says
Tonya, you made my day! ❤️? thanks so much for trying these and for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment! Pecans sound like an AMAZING addition to these! I actually just made them last night with toasted marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs on top for a s’mores twist! ?
Tonya says
I just want you to know that…I deliberately don’t buy cocoa powder because of this recipe. I came here to tell you that!
Katelin says
Please don’t put hateful comments on this site, this recipe is amazing.
#IfYouHaveNothingNiceToSayDontSayNothingAtAll.
Have an amazing day.
Stephanie Simmons says
Katelin, I think Tonya meant that she avoids buying cocoa powder in an effort to stay away from these brownies because otherwise she would be making them all the time. Her original comment was that she really enjoyed them. BUT I want to say thank you for encouraging kindness on the internet! 🙂
Leticia Rasnick says
Please if you are going to make these brownies use a bigger baking dish like a 9×13. This recipe was too much for a 8×8 pan. Therefore it did not bake properly. I baked for 45 min in order to get the middle done. The edges were hard and the middle sunk after removing from oven. Beware!!
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Leticia. I’m sorry to hear you didn’t love these brownies. However, the recipe is designed for an 8×8 pan and neither myself nor anyone else who has made this recipe has ever had an issue with the batter being too much for that size pan. The middle of the brownies will always seem a little underdone compared to the edges – but the center will set up as the brownies cool outside the oven. As I say in the recipe, a toothpick inserted in the center may still have moist crumbs on it – at this point, the brownies are done. They will be gooey in the middle, but they are done. Baking the brownies for more than 35 minutes is NOT recommended and they will certainly be over baked and dry. Also, it’s very common for the center to sink with most dessert bars (blondies and brownies) as they cool. That doesn’t mean the recipe failed.
Erin says
I had the same issue… they’ve been in the oven 40 minutes now and still very wet in the center. Came to read the comments to see if anyone else had this issue. I would 100% agree with the bigger pan comment as they’re very tall but wet right now.
Erin says
These smell Devine but they’ve been in the oven over 40 minutes now and still very wet in the center. Came to read the comments to see if anyone else had this issue. I would 100% agree with the bigger pan comment as they’re very tall but still very much liquor in the center right now.
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Erin!
So sorry to hear you had problems with these. Myself and many other readers have made these many, many times with no issues. It’s possible that your oven could be running cold (our oven had the opposite problem last year – it was running hot and flattening/burning all my cookies). The center of the brownies should look a tad underdone when you pull them out, but the edges will look set. The center will set up more as they cool – that’s just the way brownies are, and these are super fudgy, not cakey. You could also try them in a 9×13 pan, starting with 15-18 minutes and adding 2-3 minutes at a time until done. A toothpick inserted into the center should NOT be completely clean – it should have some moist crumbs, but a toothpick inserted into the outer edge will come out clean. (Just a disclaimer, I haven’t tried this recipe in a 9×13 pan, so I’m not 100% sure that it will work, but it should be fine, just watch the bake time and know they’ll be quite a bit thinner). Hope that helps some! Let me know if you give them a try again. 🙂
Jasmine says
I really want to try this recipe but can I just clarify the ingredients? 🙂
2 sticks melted butter – is this salted or unsalted butter?
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs – what size eggs do you use?
1 cup flour – what kind of flour do you use? All-purpose or self-raising?
2/3 cup cocoa powder – do you use dutch-processed or natural?
Thank you in advance 🙂
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Jasmine! I prefer to use salted butter in all my recipes so I did use salted in these brownies. I use large eggs and all-purpose flour, and natural cocoa powder. Sorry that wasn’t clear! I’m slowly working on updating older recipes to give clearer directions 🙂 Hope you love the brownies! ❤️
Jasmine says
Thank you so much for your reply! Can’t wait to make these <3
Stephanie Simmons says
Of course! ❤️
Marjory says
We share your passion for brownies and LOVE this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie Simmons says
Glad to hear it, Marjory! ❤️
April says
I love how easy these are – turned out great!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank you April! So glad you liked them ❤️
Jazmin says
These are so good!! Love how fudgy these are and it’s so easy.
Stephanie Simmons says
That’s exactly why I love these! Thanks, Jazmin!
Bobby says
I baked them for the 30 minutes and they are still not done. What did I do wrong?
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Bobby. After 30 minutes, the edges should be a bit crisp and the center will still be a bit gooey. They will set up more the longer they cool. Did you test the center with a toothpick? And was your oven set at 350 degrees? You can always add 3-5 more minutes, and test the center with a toothpick again. It’s ok if the toothpick comes out with wet crumbs on it.
Meagen Brosius says
I can’t wait to try these! They look SO decadent and delicious. Brownies are pretty much the ultimate dessert so I’m sure they”ll be a big hit with the family too!
Stephanie Simmons says
Yes!! They are the ultimate dessert ? Hope your family and you love them!!
Lisa says
Your brownie obsession sounds like my cupcake obsession! These look amazing and make my mouth water just by looking at the pictures!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank you Lisa!!
Linda | Brunch-n-Bites says
Gosh…these brownies look amazing! I love how chocolatey it is and I think I can wait for 35 mins patiently for a big slice of this. Yum!
Stephanie Simmons says
They’re totally worth the (short) wait! ❤️
Karlton says
I love how easy these are! I’ll be adding this to my weekend to-do list. I was a lot like you for a long time, not a brownie fan. So glad you found the right recipe.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank you, Karlton! I hope you love these!!
Anna says
I’ve never met a person who doesn’t like brownies – these look absolutely, gobsmackingly delicious. I think I’ll be trying this recipe and your other brownie recipes too!
Stephanie Simmons says
Haha I was such a weirdo! ? Thank you so much, Anna! Let me know how they work out for you!
Camila Hurst says
I am using every fiber of my self control to help me from getting up and baking these right now. I’d eat the whole pan and I just can’t today lol I already had a treat!!
Stephanie Simmons says
Haha eating the whole pan is, ahem, a dangerous and delicious side effect of making these!! ?
Leandi says
You can never have too many brownie recipes! These look amazing, so moist and chocolatey! Definitely going to try them!
Stephanie Simmons says
Glad you agree ? Let me know how they turn out!!
Alisa Infanti says
Wow! I am totally drooling over your pics! I love the fact that these can be done all in one bowl! That is a total win!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks so much, Alisa! ❤️ One-bowl desserts are the BEST!