This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Get ready for the ultimate chocolate indulgence! These Best Fudgy Cocoa Brownies are all about balance—a rich, gooey center meets a crispy, crackly top that melts in your mouth with every bite. This one-bowl recipe is outrageously easy, delivering incredible flavor without extra steps or fuss.
Want an even bolder chocolate fix? Don’t miss our Easiest Fudgy Chocolate Brownies Ever—loaded with chocolate chunks for extra decadence. It’s time to satisfy that cocoa craving!
Why These Cocoa Brownies Reign Supreme
What if I told you you don’t need melted chocolate or complicated steps to make the most incredible cocoa brownies? This recipe is simplicity at its finest—all you need is one bowl and five minutes to whip up the BEST fudgy brownies you’ll ever taste. And here’s the kicker—they’re just 144 calories each—a guilt-free indulgence compared to the usual 356-calorie brownies!
After countless rounds of testing, I finally cracked the code for the perfect texture. The secret? A touch of oil. This simple addition delivers irresistibly fudgy centers while keeping that crispy, crackly top we all love. So why settle for average when you can enjoy brownies that are lighter, easier, and bursting with flavor? For more chocolate decadence, try our Espresso Fudge Brownies—they’re sure to satisfy!
The Best Cocoa Brownies: Key Ingredients
In crafting the perfect fudgy cocoa brownies, each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that signature taste and texture. Here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe special and how to choose the finest produce for optimal flavor:
- Butter: The foundation of any great brownie. Butter provides richness and moisture, helping to create that irresistibly fudgy texture we all crave. Plus, it enhances the overall flavor, making every bite a velvety delight.
- Sugar: More than just a sweetener, sugar is essential for achieving a soft and moist crumb. It interacts with the other ingredients to create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Cocoa: The star of the show. Cocoa delivers the deep, intense chocolate flavor that makes brownies so indulgent. It also contributes to the overall texture, adding to the fudgy consistency.
- Oil: The secret weapon. A small amount of oil keeps the centers incredibly fudgy without sacrificing that crispy, crackly crust on top. It’s the key to achieving the perfect balance of textures in each bite.
*Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions And Substitutions
Looking to jazz up these already amazing brownies? Here are some delightful additions and substitutions that will elevate your cocoa brownies to the next level of deliciousness:
- Crushed walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, almonds, pecans: Add a satisfying crunch and a nutty depth of flavor, just in this Pistachio Skillet Cookie.
- Chocolate chips, chocolate chunks: Enhance the chocolatey goodness with pockets of melted chocolate.
- Peanut butter chips: Introduce a rich, creamy contrast to the intense cocoa flavor.
- Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, etc): Infuse a chewy texture and a burst of natural sweetness.
The Best Fudgy Cocoa Brownies: Step-By-Step
Get ready to indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience! These fudgy cocoa brownies are not just easy to make, but also absolutely irresistible, boasting a rich, gooey center and a perfectly crispy top. Let’s get baking and treat yourself to pure chocolate bliss!
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking oil spray and line with parchment paper; set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: Combine hot melted butter, oil, and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk well for about a minute. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until lighter in color (about another minute).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined (do not overbeat to maintain the texture).
- Gently Fold: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined (do not overbeat to maintain the texture).
- Pour Batter: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top evenly. (Optional: Top with chocolate chunks or chocolate chips.)
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the center no longer jiggles and is just set. Cool to room temperature before slicing into 16 brownies. If testing with a toothpick, it should come out with moist crumbs for fudge-textured brownies.
If you’ve been closely following my brownie journey, you’d know I’ve tried almost every brownie and blondie adaption under the sun. From World’s Best Fudgiest Brownies to Mixed Berry Nutella Brownies, Cookies and Cream Brownies, and Irresistible White Chocolate Blondie – all in the quest for the perfect brownie texture and flavor. Each recipe has been an adventure in finding that ultimate chocolatey delight for you to enjoy.
Recipe FAQ’s
The difference between cocoa brownies and chocolate brownies lies in the type of fat used. Cocoa brownie recipes typically use oil, while chocolate brownies use butter. This distinction affects not only the texture but also the flavor of the brownies. Cocoa provides a more intense chocolate flavor and creates a fudgier texture. Personally, I love the rich, fudgy texture you get from cocoa brownies!
While I love healthy food, I have to say these super luxe cocoa brownies might just take the cake. Despite their rich and decadent flavor, they are still considered low calorie at 144 calories per slice. So yes, you can enjoy a delicious brownie without feeling guilty!
To keep your brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Absolutely! Adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit can enhance the texture and flavor of your brownies. Just be careful not to overload the batter, as this might affect the baking time and texture.
Cakes, Brownies, And Blondies You’ll Love
Love The Food? Follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram to be notified about our new recipes!
You might also like
Get a free eBook!
Subscribe to Cafe Delites FOR FREE and receive recipes straight into your inbox!
Best Fudgy Cocoa Brownies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and HOT
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil olive oil or coconut oil are fine
- 1 1/8 cup superfine sugar caster sugar or white granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour or plain flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking oil spray. Line with parchment paper (or baking paper); set aside.
- Combine hot melted butter, oil and sugar together in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk well for about a minute. Add the eggs and vanilla; beat until lighter in colour (another minute).
- Sift in flour, cocoa powder and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until JUST combined (do NOT over beat as doing so well affect the texture of your brownies).
- Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top out evenly. (OPTIONAL: Top with chocolate chunks or chocolate chips.)
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the centre of the brownies in the pan no longer jiggles and is just set to the touch (the brownies will keep baking in the hot pan out of the oven). If testing with a toothpick, the toothpick should come out dirty for fudge-textured brownies.
- Remove and allow to cool to room temperature before slicing into 16 brownies.
OPTIONAL ADD INS:
- Crushed walnuts, peanuts, almonds, pecans, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chocolate chunks, dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, etc)
Notes
- Hot melted butter: Creates those crackly tops! Make sure your butter is hot and melted to achieve that perfect, shiny crust.
- Whisk well: Whisk your butter and sugar together really well. This helps to dissolve the sugar and create a smooth batter.
- Beat the eggs: Beat in your eggs for a good minute. This step is crucial for that crackly top and helps to incorporate air, giving the brownies structure.
- Do not over-beat: Once the flour and cocoa powder are added, do not over-beat your batter. Over-beating creates air in the batter, which will result in cake-like textured brownies. While cakey is okay, it’s not what we’re aiming for today.
- Watch the baking time: Try not to over-bake them! I find 21:30 minutes to be the sweet spot. You can go a little over if you prefer them slightly more set, but for the fudgiest brownies, stick to the recommended time.
- Oven placement: I bake my brownies on the top shelf in the oven. The middle shelf tends to cook them faster and dry them out, so keep them on the top for best results.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am 69 yrs old and have been looking for these brownies for years. I am disabled and the simplicity of this recipe is amazing. I also substituted half of the sugar with brown sugar……perfection !!!
Can this recipe be done in a 9×13?
Hey Pam,
Just spoke to Karina and yes, she said you can adapt this brownie recipe to a 9×13 inch pan, but there are a few adjustments to consider:
Baking Time: Since a 9×13 inch pan is larger and shallower than the 8-inch square pan, the brownies will likely bake faster. Check for doneness around 15-20 minutes instead of the original 20-25 minutes.
Thickness: The brownies will be thinner, which may result in a different texture. They may be less fudgy and more close to a cakey texture, so keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
Yield: You can expect to yield more than 16 brownies because of the larger pan size. Adjust your cutting size based on preference.
Temperature: Maintain the same temperature of 350°F (175°C).
By making these adjustments, you should be able to successfully bake the brownies in a 9×13 inch pan! Enjoy!
These are the best brownies I’ve ever had! I baked them for exactly 20 minutes and they came out like a chocolate lava brownie. I sprinkled a lil sea salt on top. Perfection. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Can’t agree more! Superb! I received many rave reviews on the fudginess of this brownie. Personally I live the crackly top. Best eaten about 1/2 hr after removing from the oven. I’ll be making another batch soon.
Oh my gosh. This recipe is amazing.
I added dark chocolate chips caramel chips.
You know anything that is amazing is EVIL. Lol
Cafe Delites is my go to for sweet recipes. None of them have ever failed. This brownie recipe is so fast and so delicious I don’t bother trying to make anyone else’s.
Hands down the best brownies!
These are the BEST! I’ve made over 10 times at this point, and all my friends ask for me to bring them to gatherings. I follow the recipe as given except I usually do 1 cup of sugar instead of the 1 1/8.
This is my go to for quick delicious dust brownies. The recipe is easy to follow and the bake perfectly every time. It’s my favorite!
This recipe finally gave me the super fudgy, moist (and not cakey) brownies that I’ve been looking for for years. Time and time again, recipes would promise this and not deliver. This one did. Two small adjustments I did to help further achieve this result: 1) I replaced half the granulated white sugar with dark brown sugar and 2) I baked the brownies at 325F, not 350F. I also added in about half a cup of chopped walnuts and half a cup of chopped good-quality dark chocolate for extra texture. I am so happy I came across this recipe, and that as a bonus that it’s so easy to whip up!
Very amazing and simple at the same time. I had no 8-inch square pan so I used 9 inch round one it worked the same it took about 30 min.