Easy Brownies

By Mark Bittman

Updated Oct. 16, 2023

Easy Brownies
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Liza Jernow.
Total Time
40 minutes
Rating
5(4,352)
Comments
Read comments

The first time I made brownies without my mother was in the late 1960s, using a recipe from Paula Peck, the cookbook writer. Over the years, I tinkered with that and a similar version by Marion Cunningham. As my daughters learned to cook, they experimented a bit further. But we never really strayed from the originals. As long as you keep the flour to a minimum and don't add chemical leavening like baking powder, you will produce a true and beautiful brownie.

Featured in: Recipe of the Day: Brownies

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:About 1 dozen brownies
  • 3ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 8tablespoons (1 stick) salted or unsalted butter, more for greasing pan
  • 1cup sugar
  • 2eggs
  • ½cup all-purpose flour
  • Pinch salt if you use unsalted butter
  • ½teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)

208 calories; 12 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 23 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 17 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 13 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring occasionally. When chocolate is just about melted, remove from heat, and continue to stir until mixture is smooth. Meanwhile, grease an 8-inch-square baking pan. If you like, also line it with waxed or parchment paper and grease that.

  2. Step 2

    Transfer mixture to a bowl, and stir in sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add flour (and salt and vanilla if you are using them), and stir to incorporate. Stop stirring when no traces of flour remain.

  3. Step 3

    Pour into pan, and bake 20 to 30 minutes, or until set and barely firm in the middle. Cool on a rack before cutting.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
4,352 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

Marmo

I am 12, and I made it myself with a absolutely no difficulty. The instructions are clear and to the point, and they made 12 delicious brownies that though I was missing a little bit of chocolate, were great. Thanks, I hope this was helpful

Norma Jaffe

I always add 1 level tsp of Espresso powder. It gives a richer flavor to the chocolate. I put it in the melter butter and chocolate.

Jaime

This has been my go-to brownie recipe ever since it first appeared in the Times in 2004. It's perfect. I don't use a bowl; just add everything to the saucepan as directed after the chocolate and butter melt. Great for kids to make, too!

Ellen

Mark Bittman, you have saved Thanksgiving. I have made this recipe over and over. I bring it to work and the plate is clean in 2 minutes flat. I tried to change it up, make a sourdough discard brownie this time. Well, it worked once for me but not today. Here I am, about to head out the door when I realize my brownies are mush. Quickly, I make these easy brownies. Thanksgiving is saved. 🙏🏻

Mary

do you use a metal pan or a glass one?

Alicia

Very similar to the Fannie Farmer recipe. It can’t be beat!

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

or to save this recipe.