There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, fudgy brownie. The crackly top gives way to a soft, dense middle that’s rich with chocolate flavor. For me, brownies are more than just dessert — they’re comfort food.
I remember baking them as a teenager whenever I needed a pick-me-up. The smell of chocolate filling the kitchen always made the day a little better.
This recipe is my go-to for brownies that are indulgent, chewy, and deeply chocolatey. They’re easy to make with everyday ingredients, and you don’t need any fancy equipment. If you love brownies that lean toward the fudgy side instead of cakey, this is the one you’ll want to save.

What Makes These Brownies Fudgy?
The secret to fudgy brownies lies in the balance of fat to flour. More butter and chocolate with less flour gives you that gooey, moist texture. Beating the eggs and sugar just enough creates that shiny, crinkly top everyone loves, while melted butter and cocoa give the brownies their rich base.
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s foolproof. Even if you’re new to baking, you can follow the steps and end up with brownies that taste like they came from a bakery.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional: 1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chunks for extra texture
Melt the Butter and Chocolate
Start by melting the butter and chopped chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, or use the microwave in short bursts. Stir until smooth and glossy. This mixture is the foundation of your brownies, so take your time. Once melted, let it cool for a few minutes before moving on.
Mix the Sugars and Eggs
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until the mixture looks pale and slightly thickened. This step helps create that shiny top. Stir in the vanilla extract for a hint of sweetness.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the cooled chocolate-butter mixture into the bowl with the eggs and sugar. Stir until everything is well blended. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick, smooth, and glossy.

Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang so you can lift the brownies out later. Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly.

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Don’t wait for it to come out completely clean — that would mean overbaked brownies, and you’ll lose that fudgy texture.
Cool and Slice
This part requires patience (I know, it’s tough). Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing. Cooling allows them to set properly, which means you’ll get neat squares instead of a gooey mess.
Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper, cut into squares, and enjoy. If you like clean edges, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it between slices.
Tips for the Best Fudgy Brownies
- Use good-quality chocolate: The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor.
- Don’t overmix: Stir just until the flour disappears. Overmixing makes brownies tough.
- Check early: Every oven is different, so start checking at 28 minutes.
- Add-ins are fun: Nuts, chocolate chunks, or even a swirl of peanut butter take these brownies to the next level.
- Store properly: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, or refrigerate for extra chewiness.
Serving Ideas
Brownies are amazing on their own, but you can dress them up in so many ways:
- Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert.
- Drizzle with caramel or hot fudge sauce for extra indulgence.
- Cut into small squares and serve at parties or potlucks.
- Layer them into a trifle with whipped cream and berries.
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of melted chocolate and cocoa powder gives these brownies a deep, layered chocolate flavor. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while white sugar helps create that crackly top. Butter keeps them rich, and just the right amount of flour ensures they stay fudgy instead of cakey.
It’s a balance that’s been tested many times in my kitchen, and it delivers every single time.
My Recommendation
There are countless brownie recipes out there, but this one has become my tried-and-true favorite. It’s simple, reliable, and makes brownies that are everything you want them to be — fudgy, chocolatey, and irresistible. Best of all, it doesn’t require fancy ingredients or complicated steps.
So the next time you’re craving chocolate, skip the boxed mix and whip up these homemade fudgy brownies. Your kitchen will smell incredible, your sweet tooth will thank you, and chances are, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

Ingredients
Method
- Start by melting the butter and chopped chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, or use the microwave in short bursts.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until the mixture looks pale and slightly thickened.
- Pour the cooled chocolate-butter mixture into the bowl with the eggs and sugar. Stir until everything is well blended.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang so you can lift the brownies out later.
- Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use good-quality chocolate: The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor.
- Don’t overmix: Stir just until the flour disappears. Overmixing makes brownies tough.
- Check early: Every oven is different, so start checking at 28 minutes.
- Add-ins are fun: Nuts, chocolate chunks, or even a swirl of peanut butter take these brownies to the next level.
- Store properly: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, or refrigerate for extra chewiness.