These fudgy brownies are everything a chocolate lover dreams of. Rich, deeply chocolatey, and perfectly gooey in the center with gloriously chewy edges. Made with melted chocolate and cocoa powder, they deliver intense chocolate flavor in every bite.
Updated February 2026: Recipe doubled to make a full 8x8-inch pan, updated with new tips, expanded FAQs, and photos for achieving the perfect fudgy texture and crackly top. Originally posted August 5, 2020.
Watch this quick video tutorial!
I have a theory about brownies, and I'll stand behind it: the difference between a great brownie and a good brownie almost always comes down to fudginess. Not cakey. Not dry. Dense, rich, deeply chocolatey, with that glossy crinkly top and a center that stays soft even after they've cooled. That's the brownie worth making, and that's the brownie this recipe gives you.
I've been making this small-batch fudgy brownie recipe for years, and I've tested and refined it until I know exactly what creates that perfect texture. The secret is in the chocolate, using real melted chocolate alongside cocoa powder gives you a depth of flavor that all-cocoa brownies just can't match. And in pulling them out of the oven when they still look slightly underdone. I'll walk you through all of it.
This recipe is made in a loaf pan and yields 8 perfect brownies, just enough for your family without committing to a full 9x13 pan. Let's get started!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love These Fudgy Brownies
- Genuinely Fudgy, Not Cakey - the combination of real melted chocolate and cocoa powder creates a dense, rich brownie with that perfect fudgy center every single time.
- Small Batch - made in a loaf pan and yields 8 brownies, so you get the perfect amount without the temptation of a huge pan sitting on your counter all week.
- One Bowl, No Mixer - everything comes together by hand in one bowl. Simple, fast, and minimal cleanup.
- That Crinkle Top - this recipe produces that gorgeous, papery, crinkle-top crust that is the hallmark of a truly great brownie.
Essential Tools You'll Need
- 8x8-inch square baking pan - This is the perfect size for this doubled recipe.
- Parchment paper - Makes removal easy and cleanup a breeze.
- Microwave-safe bowl - For melting chocolate safely.
- Mixing bowls - One medium for wet ingredients, one for dry.
- Whisk and rubber spatula - For proper mixing without overworking the batter.
- Toothpick - For testing doneness (should have moist crumbs, not come out clean).
Ingredients You'll Need
- Chocolate is the star ingredient and the main reason these brownies are so rich and fudgy. Use semisweet baking chocolate or a good-quality chocolate bar chopped into pieces. Real chocolate melted into the batter (rather than relying solely on cocoa powder) creates that dense, fudgy texture and deep chocolate flavor that makes these brownies special. I prefer baker's chocolate squares or a high-quality chocolate bar over chocolate chips, which often contain stabilizers that can affect the final texture.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder works alongside the melted chocolate to intensify the chocolate flavor and add chewiness to the texture. Use a high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results. Dutch-processed cocoa will give you a slightly deeper, darker color and flavor.
- Butter adds richness and contributes to that glossy, crinkled top. If you use salted butter, you can omit the additional salt called for in the recipe.
- Sugar (both granulated and a touch extra) sweetens the brownies and, importantly, helps create that papery crinkly crust on top. When you beat the eggs and sugar together, you dissolve the sugar slightly and create a glossy emulsion that gives you that signature crinkle.
- Eggs are critical to the texture of these brownies. Using one whole egg plus one additional yolk gives you richness from the extra fat in the yolk without adding more white, which would make the brownies cakier. The extra yolk is the trick to fudginess.
- Vanilla Extract rounds out and enhances the chocolate flavor. Pure vanilla extract is best here.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
📖 Recipe
Fudgy Brownies Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 8x8-inch baking dish
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 hand mixer or whisk
- 1 rubber spatula
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- Chocolate Base:
- 7 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the middle. Line your 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two opposite sides for easy removal. If using aluminum foil instead, lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the 7 ounces chocolate chips, ½ cup butter, and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate begins to melt. Then stir continuously until completely smooth and glossy. This should take 1-2 minutes total. Set aside to cool slightly for about 5 minutes, you want it warm but not hot.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together both amounts of 1 ¼ cups sugar, 2 whole eggs, 2 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk vigorously for about 30 seconds until well combined and the mixture looks slightly thick and pale.
- Combine Chocolate and Eggs: Pour the slightly cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Whisk until completely combined and the batter looks smooth and glossy, this takes about 30 seconds of whisking.
- Add the Flour: Sprinkle the 1 cup flour over the chocolate mixture. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the flour in with broad strokes, scraping from the bottom of the bowl. Stir just until no dry streaks of flour remain. The batter will be thick and glossy. Do not overmix, a few small lumps are fine.
- Transfer and Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly into the corners. Tap the pan gently on the counter once or twice to release any air bubbles.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. The brownies are done when the edges are set and beginning to pull away from the pan, but the center still looks slightly soft and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter, but definitely not clean).
- Cool Completely: This is crucial! Let the brownies cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour, or until completely cool. The brownies continue to set as they cool, so resist the temptation to cut them while warm. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan, transfer to a cutting board, and cut into 16 squares.
Notes
- Chocolate Quality: This recipe uses a total of 7 ounces of chocolate plus cocoa powder for maximum chocolate flavor. Don't skimp on quality here.
- Room Temperature Eggs: While not required, room temperature eggs incorporate more easily. If you forget to take them out, place whole eggs in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
- Oven Temperature: All ovens vary slightly. If your brownies consistently overbake, try reducing the temperature to 325°F and baking for 27-30 minutes.
- Doubling Note: This recipe has been doubled from the original small-batch version. If you want to make just 8 servings in a loaf pan (8.5 x 4.5 inches), halve all the ingredients and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Use real chocolate, not all cocoa powder. Melted chocolate is what gives these brownies their fudgy density. The combination of real chocolate and cocoa powder creates a level of richness that cocoa alone can't achieve.
- The crinkle top secret: beat the eggs and sugar together well before adding the melted chocolate. This slightly dissolves the sugar and creates the emulsion that produces that glossy, crinkled crust.
- Don't overbake. Pull them out when the center still jiggles slightly, and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. They set up perfectly as they cool. This is the single most important tip for fudgy brownies.
- Let them cool fully before cutting. I know this is the hardest instruction to follow. But the brownies genuinely need at least an hour to set up completely. Rush it and you'll have delicious but messy brownies.
- For extra fudgy brownies: refrigerate the cut brownies. Cold brownies are even denser and fudgier than room temperature ones. They're incredible straight from the refrigerator.
- Pan material matters. A metal loaf pan conducts heat more efficiently and gives you a more even bake. If you use a glass pan, your bake time may be slightly longer.
- Use parchment paper or greased foil to line the pan so you can lift the whole block out cleanly before cutting.
Variations & Substitutions
- Double Chocolate - fold in ¼ cup chocolate chips into the batter before baking for extra pockets of melty chocolate.
- Frosted Brownies - once completely cooled, spread a simple chocolate ganache (equal parts heavy cream and chocolate chips, melted together) over the top for an extra decadent finish.
- Walnut Brownies - fold in ¼ cup roughly chopped walnuts before baking. The nuttiness pairs beautifully with the rich chocolate.
- Espresso Brownies - add ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder to the chocolate mixture. It won't make the brownies taste like coffee, but it intensifies and deepens the chocolate flavor significantly.
- Full Pan Version - double the recipe and bake in a greased 8x8-inch square pan at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
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Make-Ahead & Storage
Make-Ahead
These brownies are actually better the next day. Make them a day ahead, let them cool completely, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap, and let them sit at room temperature overnight. The texture becomes even fudgier, and the chocolate flavor deepens. They're perfect for parties, gifting, or any time you want to bake ahead without any compromise in quality.
Storage & Reheating
Store cut brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Refrigerating makes them even more dense and fudgy, which many people prefer. To freeze, wrap individual brownies in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 15 to 20 seconds for a warm, fudgy brownie. For that fresh-from-the-oven feel, microwave a refrigerator-cold brownie for 10 to 15 seconds, and it'll be warm and melty.
What to Serve with Fudgy Brownies
Here are some of my favorite ways to serve these brownies.
- Warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, one of the best dessert experiences in my opinion.
- Dusted with powdered sugar.
- Cut into small bite-sized squares for a dessert board.
- With a cold glass of milk.
- As a brownie sundae base.
- Gifting: wrap 4 squares in parchment, tie with ribbon, instant homemade gift idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ratio of fat to flour is what separates fudgy from cakey. More fat (butter, chocolate, egg yolks) relative to flour creates a denser, richer, fudgier brownie. Cakey brownies have more flour and more air beaten in. This recipe is designed for maximum fudginess with real melted chocolate, an extra egg yolk, and minimal flour.
Look for edges that are set and slightly pulling away from the pan, but a center that still jiggles slightly when you shake the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist, fudgy crumbs, not wet batter, and not clean. Clean toothpick = overbaked brownies.
The most common causes are: too much flour (measure by spooning into the cup, not scooping), overmixing after adding the flour, or overbaking. This recipe is specifically designed for fudgy results, so follow the measurements carefully.
Yes, but baking chocolate or a chopped chocolate bar will give you better results. Chocolate chips often contain stabilizers that prevent them from melting as smoothly, which can affect the final texture. If you use chips, make sure to melt them fully and stir until completely smooth.
You don't have to, but refrigerating brownies makes them denser, fudgier, and even better. If you like your brownies on the fudgier end, store them in the refrigerator and eat them cold (or give them 10 seconds in the microwave to warm up).
Yes! Double the recipe and bake in a greased 8x8-inch square pan. Start checking for doneness at 25 minutes. A toothpick in the center should come out with moist fudgy crumbs.
The extra yolk adds more fat and richness to the batter without adding more egg white, which would create more lift and make the brownies cakier. Extra yolk = extra fudgy texture.
Yes! If you use salted butter, simply omit the additional salt called for in the recipe.
The crinkle top comes from beating the eggs and sugar well before adding the chocolate, which creates a glossy emulsion. Make sure to whisk the sugar and eggs together for at least a minute before folding them into the chocolate mixture.
At room temperature in an airtight container, up to 4 days. In the refrigerator, up to 1 week. In the freezer, up to 3 months.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you give these fudgy brownies a try, I'd love to know what you think! Leave a star rating and a comment below, it means so much. Share a photo on Instagram and tag @SimplyLaKita, or save it on Pinterest to revisit whenever the chocolate craving strikes.
Cathleen says
I love these brownies!! I have pinned them so that I can make it over and over. Thank you so much for the recipe, it's a new favourite 🙂
LaKita says
Thank you so much Cathleen, so happy to hear it 🙂
Kristina says
These brownies are just the right amount of fudginess without being too "gooey" inside. Lots of chocolate flavor and don't let them bake too long or you'll lose the fudginess!
LaKita says
Thank you Kristina, definitely don't bake these too long!
Helene says
Brownies are always my go-for when I need a quick and easy recipe. This fudge texture and this crackly top make this recipe perfect. Thank you for sharing.
LaKita says
Thank you Helene, they're my go-to dessert as well!
Leslie says
I am so glad this is a small batch recipe because I can really go overboard when it comes to eating brownies! Love this recipe!
LaKita says
Thank you Leslie, I definitely understand! Small batch desserts help me as well 😉
Amanda says
Such great brownies! They're perfectly rich and chocolatey, and I love that crinkly topping. I really loved them.
LaKita says
Thank you so much Amanda, the crinkly topping is the best!
veenaazmanov says
Thank you for this lovely Fudgy Brownies recipe. Perfect dessert or snack box treat. My family to love it.
LaKita says
Thank you! I agree, the perfect treat!