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Easy brownies

 


Method 1

Ingredients

175g/6oz unsalted butter, diced

100g/3½oz cocoa powder

3 free-range eggs

125g/4½oz caster sugar

125g/4½oz soft light brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

pinch salt

85g/3oz plain flour

Method

Preheat the oven to 170C/150C Fan/Gas 3½ and line a 20cm/8in square brownie tin.

Put the butter and cocoa into a saucepan over a low heat, stirring frequently until the butter has melted. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, both sugars, vanilla and salt for about 2 minutes until pale. Add the cocoa and butter mixture and stir to combine.

Sift the flour over the mixture and use a rubber spatula to mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, spread level and bake for 18–20 minutes until just firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin before cutting into squares.

Recipe tips

The secret to getting the perfect fudgy brownie is to remove them from the oven just before they are fully baked, so that the remaining heat just tips them over into being firm.


Method 2

🍫 Easy Brownies Recipe (makes ~16 squares)

🧾 Ingredients

150 g unsalted butter (or margarine)

200 g granulated sugar (or caster sugar)

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

60 g cocoa powder (unsweetened)

75 g plain flour (all-purpose flour)

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder (optional; skip for extra fudgy brownies)

Optional add-ins:

50–100 g chocolate chips or chunks

50 g chopped nuts (e.g. walnuts or pecans)


🥣 Instructions

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a square tin (about 20×20 cm or 8×8").

Melt butter in a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in sugar and mix well.

Add eggs one at a time, whisking until the mixture is thick and glossy. Add vanilla.

Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder (if using). Mix just until combined—don’t overmix.

Fold in any chocolate chips or nuts, if desired.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).

Cool completely in the tin before slicing into squares.

✅ Tips

For extra fudgy brownies, skip the baking powder and bake for closer to 20 minutes.

If you like a cakier texture, use all ½ tsp of baking powder and bake a bit longer.

Letting brownies cool completely helps them set properly for clean slicing.

🧁 Optional Add-Ons

Dust with icing sugar or top with ganache once cooled.

Swirl in peanut butter or Nutella before baking for added richness.

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top when serving warm!



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