Thick and chewy One Bowl Cocoa Brownies with a crinkly top and a soft, cakey centre. They make for a quick and easy dessert, plus one bowl = less washing up! They’re the easiest brownies ever!
Brownie cravings ❤️
You know those days when you want (or need) a brownie and you want one now? Well these easy Cocoa Brownies are the answer! Made with only cocoa powder, you need just a handful of everyday ingredients to make a batch.
You’ll be rewarded with a deliciously soft and chewy brownie, with a crisp top and plenty of chocolate flavour.
Why you will love these brownies
- Quick and easy: They’re really fast to make and can be ready to eat in under one hour.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients.
- No mixer: You don’t need an electric mixer – just a bowl and whisk.
- Beautiful texture: They’re soft, cakey and oh-so-tasty!
If this could have more than 5 stars it would! This recipe has become my new favourite. I’ve made it over 20 times and each time is as perfect! The key is definitely to whisk in the eggs! Honestly amazing!
– Danielle
Recipe testing
I was on a mission this week. Could you make a delicious chocolate brownie using ONLY cocoa powder? One that still has that crinkly brownie top and a soft, moist centre, and plenty of flavour? The answer is YES.
These brownies are divine. Cakey on the bottom, with a fudgy middle and a wrinkly top. PLUS they’re full of chocolate flavour despite not having any real chocolate in the batter.
They’re the perfect, throw-together-at-the-last-minute dessert. Friends coming over without warning? Need a chocolate fix fast? These One Bowl Cocoa Brownies are the answer.
I tried making these brownies a few different ways. Some were too flat, others too dry. I made some with oil instead of butter, but found they lacked flavour. FINALLY I made them with melted butter like my popular Gluten Free Brownies and boom – the ultimate Cocoa Brownie.
While I’ll always be a huge fan of brownies made with real chocolate, like my Big Batch Brownies, these Cocoa Brownies, are equally delicious. Less fudgy and more cakey, but still a crowd-pleaser.
You’ll also love the simplicity of this recipe. One bowl means easy and fast so you can have a warm chocolate brownie on your plate sooner. Add a dollop of whipped cream or even ice-cream and you have one decadent treat.
I bet you have ALL the ingredients in your pantry to make a batch of these right now! #doit
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How to make cocoa brownies
- Add melted butter to a large mixing bowl, along with the sugars and vanilla. Use a whisk to combine until smooth.
- Add eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
- Finally, add flour, cocoa powder and salt. Whisk until a thick, smooth brownie batter forms.
- Bake until the brownie no longer wobbles in the middle. Leave to cool completely in the pan.
Mix it up
These Cocoa Brownies are so simple to make and use only a few ingredients. But you can easily use them as a base and mix up the flavours. Swirl in dollops of peanut butter or Biscoff cookie spread. Press Oreo cookies into the top or stir through some white chocolate chips. Add some frozen or fresh raspberries or blackberries. Amazing!
Frequently asked questions
These brownies are more on the cakey side, but they’re delicious. For a more fudgy brownie, you can try my Big Batch Brownie recipe.
I recommend using natural, unsweetened cocoa for this recipe. But Dutch processed cocoa will work too.
Not at all. They add an extra pop of chocolate, but these brownies are delicious with or without them.
Yes! Try my Vegan Brownies.
More brownie recipes to love
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Let’s Bake
Easy One Bowl Cocoa Brownies
Easy One Bowl Cocoa Brownies with a crinkly top and a soft, cakey centre.
Ingredients
- 170 grams (3/4 cup) butter, melted
- 200 grams (1 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 90 grams (1/2 cup) brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 40 grams (1/2 cup) cocoa powder, sifted
- 70 grams (1/2 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- 75 grams (1/2 cup) chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line an 8-inch square pan with baking or parchment paper, ensuring two sides overhang.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, sugars and vanilla and whisk together. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each one.
- Add cocoa powder, flour and salt. Whisk well until you have a thick and creamy chocolate brownie batter. Stir through chocolate chips, if using.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared tin and place in the oven. Bake brownies for approximately 25-30 minutes or until they no longer wobble in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Cooking time: The baking time will affect the texture of the brownies. Try not to over bake them to ensure they are still a little fudgy in the centre.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 brownie Calories: 280 Sugar: 27.7 g Sodium: 76.8 mg Fat: 15.4 g Carbohydrates: 34.6 g Protein: 3.9 g Cholesterol: 92.5 mg
Hi, I’m Jess, the creator of Sweetest Menu and the author of Something Sweet. A self-taught baker and published recipe writer who can’t stop making easy and delicious baking recipes.
Sufen says
Thank you for the recipe! I belong to the prefer cakey brownie camp so this is fab! Do you think it’s Ok to sub chocolate chips with coverture as I have a bag of it?
Jessica Holmes says
Absolutely!
Andrea Wasiak says
Can the sugar be reduced to half the amount without ruining the taste of them?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Andrea, I’ve reduced the sugar down to 150 grams caster and it still worked. Any more than that and you will start to lose the brownie qualities like moistness and fudginess. The sugar content might seem high but remember these brownies don’t have any melted chocolate in them like regular brownies.