Chewy Cocoa Brownies
Chewy Cocoa Brownies are those you dream about. Made from scratch, these chewy brownies are generously topped with chocolate buttercream!
Homemade Brownie Recipes are terrific for any occasion, whether for game day, a picnic, or a casual dinner. And these simple frosted brownies were a hit!
Why You Must Make
- For years and years, my kids used to like Betty Crocker’s frosted brownies better than mine. They finally changed their minds after trying these!
- The combination of chewy brownies and rich, creamy chocolate frosting is amazing!
- I’ve baked a LOT of from-scratch brownie recipes, and these are outstanding. Even my usual strong willpower couldn’t resist! If unfrosted brownies are more your style check out these Fudgy Cocoa Brownies. Plus, you also might enjoy a wedge of the Brownie Pie.
Ingredient Notes:
- Butter – I always use salted butter unless otherwise noted
- Water – A key to making these brownies chewy
- Eggs – Large eggs
- Vanilla – Real vanilla extract, never use imitation
- Cocoa Powder – Regular cocoa (not Dutch Process)
- Baking Soda
- Salt – Table Salt
- Powdered Sugar – Make sure to sift so your frosting is smooth
- Milk
Expert Tips
- Line your baking pan with non-stick foil. Besides preventing your brownies from sticking to the pan, you can use the foil to lift the brownies out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
- PRO-Tip: Make sure to sift your dry ingredients. This will help the baking soda disperse evenly. There’s nothing worse than taking a bite of a dessert that has a speck of salty baking soda that wasn’t incorporated into the batter before baking.
- Don’t use a mixer to make these brownies (unless you use the very lowest speed and finish with a spoon or spatula). A mixer will incorporate air into the batter and over-activate gluten formation making cakier and less tender results.
- Use a toothpick to check if your brownies are done baking. Start at the 18-minute mark so you don’t overbake. If the toothpick comes out clean (can be slightly sticky), remove the brownies to a cooling rack. If there is any batter on the toothpick, bake for 2 more minutes and recheck. Repeat if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some recipes use brown sugar for extra moisture, but my secret is adding just 2 tablespoons of water. Also key is not to overbake which will make for dry brownies.
The keys to wonderful chocolate buttercream are to have room-temperature butter and to sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. If the butter is too cold, it will not mix into a smooth frosting. And sifting the dry ingredients prevents any mini lumps in the finished frosting.
Also, add the milk slowly as you may need a little more or less depending on the humidity of your home. Plus, use real vanilla extract, not imitation. Just check your label. Real vanilla tastes a heck of a lot better.
One of my family’s mottos is “there’s no such thing as too much frosting.” So when I made these fabulous Chewy Cocoa Brownies, I made 1 1/2 times the icing!
Though these brownies taste best when at room temperature, they will slice better if cold. So chill your brownies in the pan, then remove them (using the foil that lined the baking pan) to a cutting board. Using a hot dry knife, make your first slice from one long end to the other long end. Then clean, dry, and reheat the knife, and continue slicing squares of brownies.
To heat your knife blade, run under very hot water or even carefully run the blade through the flame of your gas burner. Make sure your knife is clean and hot before every additional slice.
You May Also Like:
- Best Brownies in the World from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies
- Caramel Chocolate Brownies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Brownies
- 20+ Brownie Recipes
- Plus, check out all my Best Dessert Recipes
Chewy Cocoa Brownies
Chewy frosted brownies adapted from Food Network Magazine
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 1 ⅔ cups sugar
- ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks), melted
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 ⅓ cups flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks), at room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 4 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º. Grease a 9 x 13 pan or line it with nonstick foil.
- Combine sugar, butter, and water in a large bowl. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
- Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt into the egg mixture. Stir until combined. Spread into prepared pan.
- Bake for 18-23 minutes (mine took 20 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean or slightly sticky.
- Cool on a wire rack while making the frosting.
- To make the frosting, place butter into a medium bowl. Sift cocoa and powdered sugar into the bowl.
- Add milk and vanilla. Using a hand mixer, beat till well combined.
- Spread on cooled brownies.
Notes
Nonstick foil replaces greasing the pan. It's also used as a sling to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1 brownieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 206Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 147mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g
79 Comments on “Chewy Cocoa Brownies”
Great brownies! And terrific tips on cutting them. Such a nice recipe — thanks.
Wow ! These squares look great ! I would never think of adding water to have higher level tasting brownies ! Thank you Liz !
Definitely going to put these on my todo kist when we get back. They look scrumptious!
Believe me or not – but I’ve never had frosted brownies. They are just too good even without any extra frosting. On the other hand, that’s a great way to balance out the rich cacao flavour and add some different texture. These look great anyway!
Oh these look fabulous! I had a brownie disaster on Sunday… Yep, whole batch dry and right into the trash. Maybe one day I’ll learn to trust the timer:@)
You make the BEST bars and cookies, Liz. These brownies look heavenly!
You cut your brownies so neatly! The layers are so even! Simply gorgeous!
What gorgeous photos of those brownies, Lizzy. And of your very cute dog too (I have such a soft spot in my heart for dogs).
Mmm those look amazing, and love the dog! What a doll!!!!
Oh I wish I saw this recipe yesterday. I baked some brownies last evening but bookmarked for next time.
Looks like you are having so much fun with your friends. Those brownies are just beautiful, I can almost taste them with all that wonderful frosting. Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
love the frosting!
Those look absolutely perfect! Wonderful, thick frosting, perfectly square, lovely ripples on the frosting – beautiful!
Hmmm, brownies and friends, sound wonderful 🙂
Brownies make me happy!
Brownies make me happy!
I love frosted brownies, but you don’t see them much anymore. These look wonderful!
Okay, I am kinda in love with Miss Lambeau, what a gorgeous face!!! Your brownies are what I need right about now! Hugs, Terra
These look heavenly!
The brownies look addictive !!
I didn’t realize that brownies could be improved by being topped with frosting until I tried truffle brownies last year. Boy, did that take brownies to another level. I know I’d like your version here. Love it!
BTW, that hotel is beautiful!
Your brownies look perfect!! Miss Lambeau is so cute!
Those brownies look amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had a brownie with frosting before. I will have to try that.
I usually like my brownies gooey but this looks really spectacular. Bookmarking your recipe.
You are the queen of brownies , that looks super delish!!! Have a great weekend Lizzy :).
nom!
the brownie looks so inviting with the chocolate frosting! It must be smelling supernice that Miss Lambeau came to check it out 🙂
Nothing beat a good chewy brownie, especially when it’s generously topped with chocolate frosting!
The brownies look perfect. I love a good brownie with frosting.
Brownies, frosting, and friends = a perfect weekend. Delicious!
Stunning, as always, Liz! I can’t get over what amazing concoctions you come up with every day. I noticed someone mentioned a mail order business…have you thought of that? I would place an order!
I hope there was an “oops” for Lambeau! And I wouldn’t mind an “oops” either – all that chocolate goodness. The photos are charming – and everyone just looks so relaxed and happy to be there.
I love that thick layer of frosting. Yum! And Miss Lambeau is adorable!
Love these fudge brownies you just have one hit after another!
Miss L : Chocolate again ? tsk !Sadly it’s not my cup of tea ! hahaha
Love that fab brownies ! And the placemat , too ;D
That brownie is pure perfection! Love the frosting!
Recently you left me a comment telling me I was the caramel king, I appreciate the kindness, I do but youuuuuu are the brownie queen!! And your dog is precious 🙂
Take care..:)
Lizzy, Miss Lambeau is just precious! These frosted brownies are wonderful and I can just feel myself sink my teeth into them and see the “toothprint” they make in the frosting. Okay.. now I’m really wishing I had one to eat. 🙂
I think curious Miss Lambeau can smell the delicious brownies…
She is cute with her expression “Can I have some, please?”…these brownies must be smelling really good.
I’ve got a major brownie craving going on, thanks a lot. 🙂 These look so good and I can’t wait to try them. I’ve always gone bare bones brownies but now maybe I’ve been wrong all these years. Frosting it is!
I have such a weakness around brownies. Especially ones with frosting!!
It must be fate because lately Brian has been hinting (I’m being kind) that he’d like some brownies 🙂 You’ll have to make a non-chocolate version for the doggy 🙂
Your brownies always look so amazing & perfect! I’ve never tried a frosted brownie but I’ve seen a couple recipes now that look great with it. Maybe next time I’ll try it out, hard to resist with your delicious photos! Yum!
These look amazing! I would probably eat them without frosting, but oh, they make me swoon 😉
These do look delicious, but I have to admit I’m not a frosting fan on brownies – I don’t quite know why as I love frosting in general and will eat it right out of the bowl, but somehow on brownies something changes. Anyway, appreciate the link to Hugs & Cookies =)
mmm, i just want to eat one of these right now!
Brownies and froasting looks yummy and perfectly done Lizzy
Perfect looking brownies! I would love some. I guess that’s what Lambeau was thinking too!
Love these brownies & the frosting is so tempting! Looks gorgeous ! YUM!
I do so love brownies…especially with a nice fudgy frosting on top!
These brownies are gorgeous – betty crocker who?
Another delicious post which will have people breaking down your doors 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Yum. Now I am officially craving brownies. Thank you. Maybe I will just have to try this recipe….
😉
Yum. Now I am officially craving brownies. Thank you. Maybe I will just have to try this recipe….
😉
Mmm I love the frosting on top of these brownies… but I love Lambeau even more! Too cute!
Ha-we are on a chocolate train today! I am enjoying the ride though-especially looking at these tasty brownies. Another delicious post Liz, but I have to warn you your friends are now on a road trip to your house, wondering what goodies you have there!
The brownies look absolutely perfect. Congratulations on being featured among the top 9 at FoodBuzz yesterday, Liz. 🙂
I love brownies, but think I love Lambeau more. 🙂
I am a brownie fan, and frosted too! I can’t resist…will have to bake some soon!:)
When we are tempted to eat these brownies then why not our dogs? My dog keeps looking toward the kitchen when I bake something with chocolate and cheese. he get some cheese but not chocolate.its deadly for canines.
Your brownies look incredible as always, and I love that thick layer of rich frosting, Yum. I’m sure that Lambeau would love it, too.
Well still not getting your posts sent to me so I will just have to remember to pop over.
Your brownies look wonderful and chocolaty. When I was a little girl we went to French Lick Indiana. I can’t remember the resort we stayed at but will never forget the Pluto water – did it ever smell bad.
Nyam
These look like they would be very dangerous in my household! 🙂
These days I have been seeing too many brownies online and offline, but honestly I d love a bite of yours. It looks so perfect, light and full of pure flavoures!
they look wonderful but I did not know that dogs do like it:)Life and travellingCooking
I think I’m in love with that fudgy frosting!
Brownies with icing, yum! The porch is gorgeous, nice backdrop for your photo;-)
Those brownies look so inviting…:)
Stunning, Liz. The brownies are almost as adorable as that beautiful dog of yours! As usual, great recipe and post.
The frosting on top is amazing Lizzy and nice bc you can see the two different layers.
Say hi to your doggie!!!
Still waiting for you to start a mail order business! These look addicting.
Love your brownies lizzy!!and love your dog dear!!
I think that Miss Lambeau wants brownies!! 🙂 They look delicious!!
I’m a total sucker for frosted brownies! These look perfect.
This looks like something I would eat a lot of…
Brownies and frosting looks smooth and Yummy 🙂
Ridwan
These would go over like a million dollar bill at our house!
YUM!
I am really tempted to make your terrific-looking brownies, but I will resist! (I must after my recent caramel tart…). The word “chewy” will stay on my mind for hours!
Beautiful porch! That brownie looks awesome – I understand that look wholeheartedly.