Name: Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter or oil; 1 cup sugar; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch processed; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter); 1/2 cup favorite add-ins (chopped dark chocolate, chocolate chips, or walnuts)

Something about a rich, fudgy brownie just hits the spot every time. This Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe is my go-to when I want that perfect blend of gooey and chocolatey with zero fuss. Trust me, you’ll love how simple it is and how decadent the results turn out.

The image shows a stack of four thick chocolate brownies placed on a light brown paper surface. Each brownie layer is dark brown with a moist, rich texture and visible melted chocolate chunks spread unevenly inside. The top surface of each brownie has a shiny, slightly cracked crust. The background is a soft, blurred dark gray, and the bottom surface is a white marbled texture, adding a clean contrast to the dark brownies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the first time I made these brownies, I knew they’d become a staple for quick dessert cravings. What makes this Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe shine is how it balances ease with an indulgently fudgy texture that never disappoints.

One Bowl Wonder: No messy dishes—just mix everything in a single bowl, perfect for busy days or when you don’t want to clean a million pans.
Fudgy, Not Cakey: The recipe nails that ooey, gooey brownie texture, so you get richness in every bite.
Easy-to-Find Ingredients: No crazy specialty items—just everyday pantry staples, making it super accessible.
Customizable Add-Ins: Whether you like nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit, you can tweak this to your personal brownie dream.

A close-up image of a dark brown brownie held between two woman's hands, showing a cracked and crisp top layer with a soft and moist inside that is melting slightly, revealing rich, gooey chocolate texture with a few visible chocolate bits inside. The background is blurred but shows more brownies with similar texture on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a crucial role in creating that perfect fudgy consistency and rich chocolate flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why I love each one in this Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe.

Flat lay of rich unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder in a small mound, glossy melted butter pooling beside it, a heap of granulated sugar sparkling softly, two large raw eggs with smooth shells, pale vanilla beans placed delicately, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, scattered dark chocolate chunks and shiny chocolate chips, and a handful of chopped walnuts, all beautifully arranged with natural light highlighting their textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Butter or Oil: Butter adds richness, but oil keeps them extra moist if you want an even fudgier bite.
Sugar: Balances bitterness from the cocoa while also giving structure and a nice chew.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Dutch-processed cocoa is my favorite here for a deep chocolate flavor. It makes a huge difference!
Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the dense texture without making the brownies cakey.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts the chocolate's natural flavors in a subtle but essential way.
Flour: Just enough to hold the brownies, but not so much it dries them out.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness, especially important if you use unsalted butter.
Add-Ins: Chopped chocolate, nuts, or even dried fruit make these brownies special and tailored to your taste.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I always love swapping out add-ins to keep these brownies interesting. Sometimes I toss in walnuts or pecans for crunch, other times dark chocolate chunks for extra gooey pockets—you can easily make it your own.

Nuts and Chips: I once added a mix of chopped walnuts and mini chocolate chips, and it made every bite a delightful surprise.
Espresso Boost: Adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder amps up the chocolate flavor if you want a bit more depth.
Make It Vegan: Swap out the butter for coconut oil and use a flax egg for a perfect plant-based twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter & Whisk with Sugar and Cocoa

Start by melting your butter in a microwave-safe bowl—about a minute should do. Then add the sugar and cocoa powder and whisk like crazy. This step is key because dissolving the sugar fully creates a smooth, glossy batter that bakes into fudgy perfection. Don’t rush it; whisking for at least a minute really makes a difference.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Drop in one egg at a time, whisking well after each addition. This gradual mixing helps the batter emulsify perfectly. Once the eggs are fully incorporated and the batter shines, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely aromatic touch.

Step 3: Stir in Flour and Salt

Gently fold in the flour and salt just until you don’t see any streaks of flour. Be careful here—overmixing can spoil the fudgy texture by making it cakey. At this stage, the batter will be thick but smooth, almost like chocolate pudding.

Step 4: Add Your Favorite Mix-Ins and Bake

This is where you get to personalize—fold in nuts, chocolate chips, or your favorite treats. Then pour the batter into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, just until the center is set but still soft. Remember, less is more here—you want fudgy, not dry!

Top Tip

From countless batches, I've learned that baking time is the make-or-break moment for these brownies. Even a couple minutes too long, and they'll shift from fudgy to cakey and dry. So, set your timer closely and check them as soon as 18 minutes hit—you want the edges firm but the center just slightly jiggles.

Perfect Melt: Use quality butter and melt fully; partially melted butter leads to uneven texture.
Whisk Well: Whisking sugar into melted butter thoroughly dissolves the sugar, preventing graininess in the final brownie.
Don’t Overmix: Fold flour gently; mixing too much develops gluten and dries out the brownies.
Check Early: Start checking your brownies at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking and keep that fudgy center.

How to Serve Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe

fudgy cocoa brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting these brownies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce when serving. Fresh raspberries on the side add a lovely tart contrast, especially when you want to impress guests with minimal effort.

Side Dishes

Pair your brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for the ultimate indulgence. For a grown-up twist, a glass of rich port or your favorite coffee works beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special occasions, I’ve served these brownies stacked on a pretty slate board with assorted berries and edible flowers scattered around. Tying a rustic string around individual squares makes for a charming gift too—brownies are my favorite edible package ever!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft and fudgy, just like freshly baked. Avoid the fridge unless you like them firm and chewy!

Freezing

I’ve frozen cut brownies wrapped in plastic wrap and sealed in freezer bags. They thaw beautifully at room temp in about an hour, still fresh and fudgy like the day they were baked—perfect for prepping in advance.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat briefly in a low oven. This revives that gooey texture without drying them out. Trust me, almost as good as fresh!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of Dutch-processed?

Yes, you can use natural cocoa powder if that’s what you have on hand. The flavor might be slightly more acidic and less mellow compared to Dutch-processed, but your brownies will still be delicious and fudgy.

How do I know when the brownies are perfectly baked?

Look for edges that are set and starting to pull away from the pan, while the center should still have a slight jiggle. A toothpick inserted will come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. This ensures they're fudgy and not overbaked.

Can I double this Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe doubles well and can be baked in a 9x13 or 9x9 pan. Just increase the baking time by 5 to 7 minutes and keep a close eye on it toward the end to avoid overbaking.

What’s the best way to make these brownies extra gooey?

For extra gooey brownies, add a tablespoon of oil (like vegetable or canola) along with the butter in the beginning. This little trick keeps the brownies moist and dense without any fuss.

Final Thoughts

This Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies Recipe is truly one of those little kitchen wins that you’ll want on speed dial. It’s straightforward, forgiving, and yields a rich, decadent treat every time. I hope it becomes your go-to brownie for quick desserts or whenever you just need a bite of chocolate heaven. Give it a try, and don’t forget to customize it with your favorite add-ins—I promise there’s nothing better than sharing warm brownies fresh from the oven with friends and family.