Classic Chocolate Brownie Recipe
Servings: Approximately 12 brownies
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 35-40 minutes
Nutritional Information (per brownie):
- Calories: 200
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 90mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 26g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or your favorite variety)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. Melting the Butter:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's completely melted. Allow it to cool slightly.
3. Mixing Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Combining Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, sift the unsweetened cocoa powder to remove any lumps. Then, add the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir until the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.
5. Creating the Brownie Batter:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth and thick brownie batter.
6. Adding Chocolate Chips (and Nuts, if desired):
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips. If you like, you can also add chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
7. Transferring to the Baking Pan:
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.
8. Baking the Brownies:
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Be careful not to overbake; slightly underbaked brownies are fudgier.
9. Cooling and Cutting:
- Allow the brownies to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Place them on the wire rack to cool completely.
10. Cutting into Squares: - Once the brownies have cooled, use a sharp knife to cut them into 12 squares or rectangles.
11. Serving: - Serve your homemade chocolate brownies with a glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or simply enjoy them on their own. They're perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on specific ingredients used. Adjust the serving size accordingly if you cut the brownies into larger or smaller pieces. Enjoy your delicious homemade chocolate brownies!