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.
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.
Why you will love these brownies
- They’re super quick and easy to make
- You need just a handful of everyday ingredients
- You don’t need an electric mixer – just a bowl and whisk
- They’re soft, cakey and oh-so-tasty
Recipe testing
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
Tara says
this is more like a cake with 4 eggs. I followed the directions and it was good, but not the dense fudgy consistency of a traditional brownie. We had it with whipped cream. I would make this again as a cake and add frosting.
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Tara, yes this recipe is for a cakey brownie. But it shouldn’t be cake. Make sure you don’t overmeasure your flour and/or cocoa and try baking it for a few minutes less next time. Otherwise I have loads of fudgy brownie recipes you can try.
Dorotea says
My family and boyfriend went crazy! These are extra perfect! Doing them again. Perfect recipe!
Jessica Holmes says
Yay! Love hearing that Dorotea!
Eli says
These were absolutely amazing, and a great hit with my parents. I did have to add some extra cocoa because the batter was a little thin; perhaps my eggs were on the bigger side. They did turn out beautifully, though.
Jessica Holmes says
I’m so pleased to hear that! I appreciate your feedback.
Deepthi says
I have made these umpteen times…and they are always wonderful. Thanks dear for the foolproof recipe.
Jessica Holmes says
So happy to hear that!
Ana says
I have made these about 10 times now and they are a winner every time!! Fantastic recipe 🥰🥰🥰
Jessica Holmes says
Yes! Love hearing that Ana!
Jen says
What if I don’t have dark chocolate to melt?
What can I substitute & how much of it ?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Jen, this recipe doesn’t have melted dark chocolate in it, it’s a cocoa only brownie.
Ana says
These came out beautifully fudgy!
Awesome recipe, thank you! I especially loved that the measurements were in both cups and grams. 😊
Jessica Holmes says
Love hearing that Ana!
paige says
tres delicieux!!!! LOVE loved it sooo much!! so easy too!!
Jessica Holmes says
Yaaay! So glad you loved them Paige!
Sharlene says
Omg these are the best brownies ever. I tried so many recipes but this one was awesome in first attempt itself. Like the recipe says its more on cakey said, these are nothing less than fudgey ones any day.
Jessica Holmes says
Yay! Love hearing that Sharlene!
Isabelle says
This recipe is PERFECT. Adding walnuts and hazelnuts makes it even better. Ive made this thrice and counting for my family and even my grandparents who don’t normally have a sweet tooth adore these brownies! Thank you so much for the lovely recipe!
Jessica Holmes says
I’m so happy to hear that! Love the idea of adding nuts too!
Liz says
This brownie is so quick and easy to make and tastes amazing. I added walnuts and choc chips the second time and it really brought it to a higher level. Thank you 🙂
Jessica Holmes says
Amazing! Thank you for the lovely feedback Liz!
Lucie says
Amazing!
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you liked them!
Hailey says
Hi,
Can I use Godiva hot cocoa powder? It’s not unsweetened. I have only this one.
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Hailey, I recommend using unsweetened cocoa.
honor smith says
Never ever made brownies as perfect as these. AMAZING
Jessica Holmes says
Love hearing that!
Tess says
I recently made this for my work colleagues and did 6 batches (I needed 102 brownies! 😲) and they were a massive hit! Everyone loved them and they were so easy to make!!
Jessica Holmes says
That’s amazing Tess! Well done for making 102 brownies!
Torey says
Really good tasting and great food