5 Ingredient Fudgy Brownies
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Prep Time: 15 mins | Bake Time: 38 mins | Total Time: 53 mins
Because sometimes you need brownies right now without digging through your pantry for 12 different things. These 5-ingredient fudgy brownies are rich, chewy, gooey, and dangerously easy to whip up. Chocolate cravings? Consider them handled.
What are 5 Ingredient Brownies?
Think of them as the minimalist’s dream dessert. No complicated steps. No fancy mix-ins required. Just five everyday pantry staples coming together to create the fudgiest, richest brownies with shiny tops and gooey centers. They’re basically proof that less really is more.
What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Brownies?
All you need are five kitchen basics:
Sugar
Eggs
Butter (bonus points if you brown it!)
Cocoa powder
All-purpose flour
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How to Make 5 Ingredient Fudgy Brownies
Step 1: Preheat the oven. Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch metal pan with parchment, leaving an overhang for easy brownie removal.
Step 2: Whip the eggs and sugar. In a big bowl, beat the sugar and eggs together on high for 3–4 minutes until the mixture is pale and slightly thick (your brownies will thank you for this step).
Step 3: Add the butter. Pour in the melted (or browned) butter and stir until smooth. Add vanilla if you’re using it.
Step 4: Mix the dry stuff. Gently fold in the cocoa powder and flour until the batter is thick and glossy. Don’t overmix—this is fudgy brownie territory, not dry cake land.
Step 5: Optional upgrades. Stir in espresso powder or chocolate chunks if you’re going full send on chocolate.
Step 6: Bake. Spread the batter evenly into the pan and bake for 33–38 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still looks a little gooey. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not raw batter.
Step 7: Cool & slice. Let them cool in the pan for at least an hour before slicing (torture, I know). The wait is worth it for clean squares.
Tips for the Best Brownies
Metal pans bake best. Glass pans don’t heat evenly and can overbake the edges. Stick to metal if you can.
Whip the eggs and sugar. This step is what gives you that shiny, crackly brownie top. Don’t skip it!
Add-ins are optional. Yes, it’s a “5 ingredient” recipe, but vanilla, espresso, and chocolate chips take these to bakery-level good.
5 Ingredient Fudgy Brownies
Because sometimes you need brownies right now without digging through your pantry for 12 different things. These 5-ingredient fudgy brownies are rich, chewy, gooey, and dangerously easy to whip up. Chocolate cravings? Consider them handled.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar (420g)
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup salted butter, melted or browned (226g)
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder (62g)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (98g)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
- 3/4 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch metal baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the edges to hang over for easy brownie removal.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the granulated sugar and eggs. Use an electric mixer to beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes until the sugar is mostly dissolved. (Test by rubbing the mixture between your fingers; it should feel mostly smooth.)
- Add the melted butter to the sugar and egg mixture. Mix until fully combined.
- Optional step: Add vanilla extract and mix.
- Combine the dry ingredients: Add the cocoa powder, flour, and salt to the bowl. Use a spatula to fold the ingredients until a thick, smooth batter forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Optional step: Stir espresso powder and chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness!
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 33-38 minutes, or until the top looks set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). If in doubt, use a knife tip to slightly lift a piece from the center and check the texture. Avoid overbaking, as the brownies will continue to set while cooling.
- Cooling & Serving: Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. While they are delicious when warm, they may seem underdone if cut too soon. For clean, even slices, wait until they have fully set.
Notes
- Metal Pan: Using a metal pan ensures even heat distribution, resulting in perfectly baked brownies. A ceramic pan can be a suitable alternative, but avoid using glass, as it conducts heat poorly and may lead to uneven baking.
- Vanilla Extract: While this is technically an additional ingredient, it enhances the chocolate flavor and is highly recommended if you have it on hand.
- Salt: Though listed separately, the 1/4 tsp of salt can be skipped if you are strict about the ingredient count.
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