Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Optional add-ins:
- 1 cup (175g) chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 cup (120g) chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the sugar until well combined. Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- If using, fold in the chocolate chips or chunks and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares and serving.
- These brownies are rich, fudgy, and utterly irresistible. Enjoy them on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!