Homemade Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

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This chewy fudge brownie recipe makes most AMAZING homemade fudge brownies you will ever eat! Made with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, walnuts and a bit of espresso powder, this easy one bowl brownies recipe delivers the very BEST homemade fudgy cocoa brownies from scratch.

walnut brownies stacked up

Homemade Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

Chewy fudgy chocolate chip brownies.. ahhh be still, my heart! When it comes to the ultimate comfort food, soft warm brownies are my love language. 

So after years of grabbing box mix brownies from the grocery store, I decided it was time to make my own from scratch brownie recipe and I have to say, these are insane!!

Crackly top brownies with tons of chocolate chips, walnuts and a decadent fudgy center? Yes, please!

Homemade Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

Easy Homemade Brownie Recipe

So why are these cocoa brownies the BEST? There are billions of easy brownie recipes on the internet, what makes this the BEST homemade fudgy brownies recipe?

  • Espresso Powder – Adding espresso powder to the brownie batter brings a dark richness of flavor that just doesn’t happen without it.
  • Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened cocoa produces the BEST chocolate brownies because they are rich and decadent.
  • Chocolate chips – … then MORE chocolate chips. Using both the cocoa and extra chocolate chips makes the center of your brownies extra fudgy.
  • Easy – This is such and easy recipe for brownies. Just a handful of pantry items you probably already have on hand and you are making ‘better than box’ brownies.
  • One bowl brownies – Yup, all this chocolate chip goodness and only one bowl to clean up afterwards.

Cocoa Brownie Ingredients

  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Deep, smooth chocolate flavor.
  • Melted Butter – Flavor!
  • Sugar – Brings the sweetness and also helps create a soft fudgy center.
  • Eggs – Eggs bind and provide structure for the brownies. They also add richness to your batter.
  • Vanilla extract – Flavor!
  • Espresso powder – Ahh.. my not-so-secret ingredient. Adding espresso powder to your brownies brings a whole new layer or rich flavors to your fudgy brownies. Your brownie recipe wont taste like coffee but adding the espresso will give them a deeper chocolate flavor.
  • Baking powder – Leavening
  • All purpose flour – Structure
  • Semi-sweet Chocolate chips – Adding the extra chocolate chips to your brownies brings more chocolate and more fudgy center action!
  • Walnuts – Totally optional but walnut brownies are my favorite.

brownie ingredients

Fudgy Brownies

Some people like cakey brownies but THIS girl loves a good fudgy brownie. Specifically, homemade fudgy cocoa brownies!!

Fudgy brownies are slightly gooey but with enough structure and form so it doesn’t completely fall apart. 

This is usually achieved by adding less all-purpose flour and whole eggs to your brownie batter.

Fudgy brownies have a higher fat-to-flour ratio than cakey ones. The ultimate fudgy brownie is deep, dark, dense, and gooey.

Coffee and Chocolate Brownies

Adding coffee or espresso powder when you cook with chocolate isn’t because you are looking for a mocha-flavored recipe.

Rather, coffee is commonly included because it is a great way to enhance the flavor of cocoa powder, resulting in a richer, deeper chocolate flavor.

Best Fudge Brownie Recipe espresso

How to Make Easy Homemade Brownies

Pre-heat and prep – To make these espresso brownies, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a 13 x 9 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt – In a microwave safe bowl, start by melting your butter in the microwave on High for approximately 1 minute.

Best Fudge Brownie Recipe butter

Mixing – Pour the melted butter into a large mixing bowl and add the sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter together for 1 minute. Add in your cocoa, espresso powder, baking powder, salt and vanilla and mix well for 1 minute.

brownie ingredients in a bowl

Eggs and Flour – Beat in your eggs and then flour and combine until just mixed.  

adding flour to brownie batter

Add Ins – Fold in walnuts and most of the chocolate chips.

adding chocolate chips and walnuts to brownie batter

Move to Pan – Scoop your batter to your pan (batter will be super thick) and even out batter with the back of a spoon.

baking pan of brownies

Bake – Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips.

Cool – Let cool completely (or for as long as you can hold out!) on a cooling rack before removing them from the pan.  

Pro Tips for Perfect Homemade Brownies

  • Espresso powder – Adding espresso powder is not necessary for the perfect batch of brownies but it does make a difference. Add the powder right into your batter or substitute with a tablespoon of brewed coffee if you don’t have any espresso on hand. It’s not the same but it will richen the chocolate flavor of your brownies.
  • Under cooked brownies – Everyone’s oven is different so keep an eye on your brownies. I always pull mine from the oven at the earliest time point to ensure they don’t over cook and come out super fudgy.
  • Parchment paper – Be sure to let your parchment paper hand over the sides of your baking pan if possible. This makes for an easy way to lift your brownies out of their pan for cutting.
  • Walnut brownie recipe – Don’t want to add the walnuts? No worries.. just leave them out!
  • Brownie Storage – Brownies can then be moved to an airtight container and stored on your counter top.
  • Foolproof – This is a crazy easy homemade brownie recipe. You are going to totally nail making these!!!

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Enjoy ♥ Heather

Homemade Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

walnut brownies stacked up
This chewy fudge brownie recipe makes most AMAZING homemade fudge brownies you will ever eat! Made with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, walnuts and a bit of espresso powder, this easy one bowl brownies recipe delivers the very BEST fudgy brownies from scratch.
Heather - A Wicked Whisk
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Serving Size 15

Ingredients

  • 2 sticks butter
  • 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
  • 1 ounce espresso powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1 /2 cup s all purpose flour
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  • To make your Best Fudge Brownie Recipe, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a 13 x 9 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. 
  • Start by melting your butter in the microwave on High for 1 minute. Pour the butter into a large mixing bowl and add the sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and butter together for 1 minute. Add in your cocoa, espresso powder, baking powder, salt and vanilla and mix well for 1 minute. Add in your eggs and flour and beat until just mixed. Fold in walnuts and most of the chocolate chips. 
  • Scoop your batter to your pan (batter will be super thick) and even out batter with the back of a spoon.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Let cool completely on a cooling rack before removing them from the pan. Brownies can then be moved to an airtight container and stored on your counter top.

Notes

Pro Tips for Perfect Homemade Brownies

  • Espresso powder - Adding espresso powder is not necessary for the perfect batch of brownies but it does make a difference. Add the powder right into your batter or substitute with a tablespoon of brewed coffee if you don't have any espresso on hand. It's not the same but it will richen the chocolate flavor of your brownies.
  • Parchment paper - Be sure to let your parchment paper hand over the sides of your baking pan if possible. This makes for an easy way to lift your brownies out of their pan for cutting.
  • Under cooked brownies - Everyone's oven is different so keep an eye on your brownies. I always pull mine from the oven at the earliest time point to ensure they don't over cook and come out super fudgy.
  • Walnut brownie recipe - Don't want to add the walnuts? No worries.. just leave them out!
  • Brownie Storage - Brownies can then be moved to an airtight container and stored on your counter top.
  • Foolproof - This is a crazy easy homemade brownie recipe. You are going to totally nail making these!!!

Nutrition

Serving: 16g | Calories: 84.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.6g | Protein: 1.3g | Fat: 4.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 23.7mg | Potassium: 16.6mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 8.8g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Update Notes: This post was originally published in June of 2018 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in January of 2024.

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21 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Your recipe certainly looks like the most amazing chewy fudge chocolate brownie ever! Thank you for the tip of adding coffee to chocolate brownies…cannot wait to give it a try

  2. 5 stars
    I am too lazy nowadays not trying baking brownies from scratch, but your recipe makes me to give a it as it looks delicious also fudgy my kids love brownies a lot.

  3. Ahh brownies look totally sinful! Chocolate and coffee a perfect combination and a combo to die for!! I won’t mind a slice or two from those pictures ❤️ Totally drooling ????

  4. These brownies looks so rich and delicious! I love that they are loaded with all those nuts too…that’s how I love my brownies. Awesome recipe!

  5. 5 stars
    I love addition of coffee in these brownies. And the walnuts. Such a great flavor combo. Goes PERFECTLY with dark chocolate flavor. I’m saving this recipe. Batter looks so moist and delicious.

  6. 5 stars
    The site of brownies…. I love!!!
    Makes me wanna eat them warm and gooey. This looks so good. I love fudgy brownies.
    Now I wanna make some. Saving for later.

  7. 5 stars
    I have been looking for a good fudgy brownie recipe for a long time, this recipe is PERFECT! Who knew espresso was necessary for great brownies?!

    1. Haha Thanks Sara… This is my Haley Bug and of my four, she is the most timid so she is at my side at all times… especially in the kitchen, just like yours 🙂

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