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Do you like your brownies with or without nuts? Leave a comment.
My classic brownie recipe is so easy, you may never make brownies from a box again! Ten easy ingredients, no mixer required, and no need for special chocolate — unsweetened cocoa powder is all you need!
Ingredients for The Best Brownies Ever:
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Is it frosting or icing? Many say it depends on when the topping is applied. Whatever your preference, you can use the same recipe for a fluffy frosting or a delicate icing. Sweet.
Icing / Frosting:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 – 3 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch salt
chopped pecans (about 1/4 cup, optional)
NOTE: Makes a 9″x9″ pan of fudgy goodness. For best results, eggs should be at room temperature.
SO EASY!
Melt butter over medium-low heat.
Add melted butter to sugar and mix thoroughly.
Add two eggs and mix until smooth. Then add baking powder, salt and cocoa powder. Mix thoroughly. I am so into this Pink Himalayan Salt right now. It’s so pretty ;) And yummy :D
Add flour to mixture and, again, combine thoroughly.
Stir in vanilla.
Preheat oven to 350(F). Prepare baking pan with non-stick foil. I mean, you can try the ol’ oil and flour method if you want… but I could not live in a world without this non-stick foil.
Pour batter into pan and spread. Place baking pan and batter in the freezer for about ten minutes. Then, bake for 20-25 minutes at 350(F).
See why I like this non-stick foil? It’s awesome!
WHILE THE BROWNIES ARE BAKING…
Make the frosting (or icing… whatever you want to call it). Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder until smooth. Stir in two tablespoons milk or cream. Mixture should be creamy-smooth. Run whisk through powdered sugar to remove any large clumps or lumps. Add chocolate mixture to powdered sugar and mix well. (I know the chocolate looks super dark in the last photo — just the winter lighting conditions.)
(That’s better! Phew.) Stir until mixture is smooth. Add vanilla and pinch of salt. Add another tablespoon of milk if needed for consistency. Frosting should be smooth, silky (and delicious!).
LET’S DO THIS!!
You don’t have to do this, but I carefully cut the edges to square off the brownie. This serves several purposes. For one, it ensures no one is stuck with an “end” piece. It also just looks more delicious. But, most importantly, you can sneak-a-taste of the hot, moist brownie right from the oven!
To prepare brownies with icing, spread the icing on the brownies while the brownies are still slightly warm. This will melt the topping, magically turning it into icing!
Before the icing sets up, sprinkle pecan pieces (or any chopped nut or candy) on top. Allow to rest and cut into bite sized pieces.
You can also use cookie cutters to cut the brownies into fun shapes.
To prepare brownies with frosting, wait until the brownies have cooled to room temperature before frosting. Sprinkle with nuts or candies, if desired.
Search terms: food blog, recipe blog, brownie recipe, brownies recipe, brownies with frosting, brownies with icing, brownies with frosting recipe, brownies with icing recipe, reynolds wrap, non stick foil, yumsugar
Link to the Easy Like Valentine’s Day Brownies blog post.
MORE SWEETS!
Need some more ideas? Click an image for the complete recipe…
 Sugar Cookies |
 White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies |
 Blazin’ Creme Brulee |
 Peanut Butter Cookies |
 Chocolate Cookie Hot Fudge Sundae |
 Pudding Filled Cupcakes |
Link to the Easy Like Valentine’s Day Brownies blog post.
Brownies are a classic not only for V day! Definitively with nuts is more tasty :)
Cheers,
Gera
Oh brownies are a big downfall for me, I just can’t eat one or two or even three! I’ll skip the nuts and take double chocolate please.
I absolutely love brownies with walnuts and icing/frosting – doesn’t matter to me as long as its yummy! :D
I am such a sucker for brownies too these are great for valentine’s day!
I love your brownies with the nut topping!! :)
I love brownies without nuts! Your brownie recipe looks almost exactly like King Arthur Flour’s recipe!! That is my go-to recipe for brownies. I love the icing you added on top of them, though. Great process photos.
GREAT RECIPE, AND IT’S EASY TO FOLLOW AT HOME IN YOUR OWN KITCHEN. THANK YOU :) — THAT WAS A HUGE HELP FOR MY SCHOOL PROJECT!
great recipe. My neaces are going to LOVE this.
These brownies were good, but they were a lot more cakey and light then I expected from the pictures (which are stellar, by the way). I must have done something wrong with mine. Perhaps I make this recipe again? Any excuse to lick more brownie batter off the sides of bowls, haha.
Hi Jess, Sorry to hear the brownies were more cakey than you would have liked… I might suggest going a little easier on the flour and trying to stir the batter just till combined. Also, since oven temperatures vary, try baking them for a shorter time. I hope you give it another go– and definitely try them with the icing :) Happy New Year!!
I made a few substitutions but followed your recipe. They are soooooo delicious! Big hit!
WooHoo! So happy to hear, Kris! :)