If you’re looking for the perfect homemade brownies that are thick, fudgy, and topped with smooth chocolate ganache, look no further. These decadent brownies are a chocolate lover’s dream and will have you reaching for a glass of milk after just one bite! This truly is the best ever homemade brownie recipe.
Why These Brownies Are So Special
As a lifelong chocolate enthusiast, brownies have always been my favorite dessert. Growing up in Las Vegas, I discovered my love for rich, frosted brownies at a local casino café. Their dessert case featured a thick brownie topped with creamy frosting, and I was hooked. My mom would even surprise me with one of these brownies for my birthday.
My love for these brownies runs so deep that my sister-in-law brought a batch to Utah for my bridal shower. To this day, I’ve been on a quest to recreate that perfect brownie experience.
My Search for the Best Ever Homemade Brownie Recipe
After years of testing different brownie recipes, I found one from Cook Like Your Grandmother that I knew was a winner. Over time, I adapted it to make it thicker and richer by baking it in a smaller pan and topping it with a smooth, decadent chocolate ganache frosting. This is now my go-to for the best ever homemade brownie recipe.
What Makes These the Best Ever Homemade Brownies?
These homemade brownies are:
- Rich and fudgy: Not cakey or chewy, but perfectly dense with a deep chocolate flavor.
- Easy to make: Everything is mixed in one bowl for easy prep and cleanup.
- Topped with ganache: Adding a thick layer of chocolate ganache frosting takes these brownies to the next level.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Perfect Brownies
- Granulated sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder (I use Dutch-processed for a deep cocoa flavor.)
- Salt
- Melted butter
- Eggs
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: Heavy cream and chocolate chips for the ganache
How to Make the Best Ever Homemade Brownie Recipe: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Mix gently until the ingredients are just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the brownies too dense.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
- In a small microwave safe bowl, melt butter and add it to the dry ingredients. When microwaving the butter, start with 30 seconds then 20 and gradually add lower time if needed. This will help so the butter doesn’t explode in the microwave.
- Add eggs and mix until just combined. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl to fully incorporate the sugar and flour, avoiding any white spots in the brownies.
Step 3: Add Chocolate Chips
- Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips for texture and added flavor. (totally optional though)
Step 4: Bake the Brownies
- Pour the batter into a lined 8 x 8 inch baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Start checking on your brownies at around 33-35 minutes. Every oven is different and you do not want to over bake your brownies, so make sure to check soon.
Optional (But Recommended): Chocolate Ganache Frosting
For an even more indulgent treat, top the brownies with a chocolate ganache:
- In a microwave safe bowl, add heavy whipping cream and heat for one minute.
- Pour heavy cream over chocolate chips and let it sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Refrigerate ganache for about 40 minutes to an hour.
- Spread the ganache evenly over the cooled brownies and enjoy!
- If the ganache has become too firm, heat it in the microwave for about ten seconds and stir until smooth.
Pro Tips for the Best Brownies
- Use quality cocoa powder: High-quality cocoa gives these brownies a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Avoid overmixing: Mixing too much can create a tougher texture; mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Let the brownies cool before frosting: Allowing the brownies to cool completely before adding ganache prevents melting and ensures a smooth, even layer.
Enjoy These Thick, Fudgy Brownies
These perfect homemade brownies are an indulgent treat that’s surprisingly easy to make. With a rich, fudgy texture and smooth chocolate ganache frosting, they’re the ideal dessert for any chocolate lover. Try them today, and you’ll have a new go-to brownie recipe for birthdays, gatherings, or any time you need a chocolate fix!
The Best Ever Homemade Brownie Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- rubber spatula
- microwave safe bowl
- 8×8 square baking pan
- parchment paper
- glass measuring cup
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 ½ cups (295 g) sugar
- ¾ cup (90 g) flour
- ¾ cup (60 g) cocoa powder
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup (170 g) butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
- ¾ cup (78 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup (224 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (120 g) heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Brownies
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 8×8 cake pan with parchment paper. I like to use metal paper clamps on the sides of the cake pan to keep the parchment paper in place.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Lightly stir until combined.
- Add melted butter and eggs and stir until combined. Don’t overmix as you do not want to produce gluten, which can make the brownies tough.
- Fold in chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-43 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick to the center. The brownies are done baking when there are a few moist crumbs on the toothpick. Start checking around 33 minutes.
- Once brownies are completely cooled, frost with chocolate ganache.
Chocolate Ganache
- Add chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl. Set aside.
- Using a glass measuring cup, heat heavy cream in microwave for about 1 minute.
- Pour hot heavy cream over chocolate chips and let stand for five minutes.
- Stir ganache until smooth. It gets worse before it gets better, so keep stirring. If the chocolate chips didn’t melt completely, heat it in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir.
- Let ganache chill in the refrigerator for 40 minutes to 1 hour.
- Frost cooled brownies and let stand for an hour or chill to allow the ganache to set. (If the ganache has set too much in the fridge, microwave ganache for 10 seconds, stir, and frost.)
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t over mix the batter as this will create a tough chewy brownie. Make sure to get all dry ingredients mixed as it can create pockets of flour and sugar.
- Chocolate chips are optional as well as the ganache.
- The chocolate ganache will melt if you warm the brownies too long, but if you like it that way go for it!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to try my The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. You’ll love that recipe as well!
