One-Bowl Cocoa Brownies
In short: Chewy, deeply chocolate brownies made with cocoa powder and melted butter in one bowl, with a crinkled top and no chopped chocolate needed. It takes about 34 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 24 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 34 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 175 kcal
When there is cocoa in the cupboard but no baking chocolate, brownies are still possible. This recipe uses cocoa powder, melted butter and both white and brown sugar, all whisked together in a single bowl. The result is a chewy, deeply chocolate brownie with a crinkled top and slightly crisp edges. Stirring the cocoa into hot butter, as in the second step, brings out its flavor and gives the batter a glossy finish.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 20 cm (8 in) square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. While it is still hot, whisk in the cocoa and salt until smooth and glossy.
- Whisk in both sugars, then the eggs and yolk one at a time, then the vanilla. Beat for a minute, until the batter looks thick and shiny.
- Stir in the flour with a spatula until just combined, with no dry streaks left.
- Spread the batter into the pan. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the surface looks dry and crinkled and a toothpick in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 1 hour, then lift out and cut into 16 squares.
Tips
- Fold in 100 g (3/4 cup) of chocolate chips or chopped nuts for texture, or sprinkle flaky salt on top of the batter before baking.
- Sift the cocoa to avoid lumps. Dutch-process cocoa gives a darker, milder brownie and natural cocoa a sharper chocolate taste. Both work here.
Questions and answers
Can I make brownies with cocoa powder instead of chocolate?
Yes. With enough butter, cocoa makes a rich brownie, just a little chewier and less fudgy than one made with melted chocolate.
Why are my cocoa brownies cakey?
Too much flour or too much stirring after adding it. Weigh the flour, fold gently and take the pan out while the center is still slightly soft.
How should I store brownies?
Keep them airtight at room temperature for 4 days. Wrap the squares and freeze them for up to 3 months.
How long does it take to make One-Bowl Cocoa Brownies?
About 34 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 24 min of cooking.
How many calories are in One-Bowl Cocoa Brownies?
About 175 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 175 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Sodium | 80 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
