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Home » Recipes » Cookies, Brownies and Bar Recipes

Best Cocoa Brownies

Published: Aug 8, 2021 · Modified: May 11, 2025 by Chef Dennis Littley

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When only the best Cocoa Brownies will do, look no further. And I promise, these will undoubtedly be the most chocolaty brownies you’ll ever make. They are truly insanely delicious!

Stack of three Cocoa Brownies separated with white parchment paper


 
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • Ingredients for Cocoa Brownies
  • Can I change up the recipe?
  • How to Make Cocoa Brownies
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: The Best Cocoa Brownies

Audio Player

When I first found this recipe, I had my doubts about cocoa brownies being that chocolaty. Well, I’m certainly not a doubter anymore.

brownies cut and placed on parchment on a wooden cutting board

It was really no surprise that I turned to Alice Medrich for the recipe. After all, she is “The Queen of Chocolate,” and Alice knows chocolate!

If you love decadent, chocolate desserts, try out our chocolate lava cake and flourless chocolate cake recipes.

Ingredients for Cocoa Brownies

Ingredients for the recipe.

Gather the ingredients to prepare our cocoa brownies recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means “everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

Can I change up the recipe?

Absolutely! We used pecans in the recipe, but you can use walnuts. If you have nut allergies, you can leave them out.

I love adding the different chocolate chips to my cocoa brownies for flavor and fun, but you can use any of your favorite baking chips to make our recipe.

If you want to make our recipe gluten-free, substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. You won’t notice a difference.

How to Make Cocoa Brownies

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make cocoa brownies in your home kitchen.

  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Prepare a 9″ square baking pan by lining it with parchment or aluminum foil. Allow an overhang on opposite sides so you can lift out the brownies from the pan when they are finished baking.
  • Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a small sauce pot with simmering water to create a double boiler.
  • Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Then, remove the bowl from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
  • Add the vanilla extract and stir with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon.
  • Add the eggs one at a time.
  • Stir vigorously after the addition of each egg.
  • When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you can no longer see it. Then, beat it vigorously for 40 strokes with your spatula or wooden spoon.
Collage showing how to finish the recipe.
  • Add the nuts and chocolate chips to the batter.
  • Mix to combine.
  • Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  • Place the pan on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes at the convection setting or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out slightly moist with batter.
Cooling on wire rack.
  • Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Lift the brownies out of the pan and gently remove the foil or parchment from the sides of the brownies.
  • Slice the cocoa brownies into squares.
stack of Triple Chocolate Pecan Brownies on parchment paper

Our Cocoa Brownies were so decadent and delicious that I actually cut them into four small pieces each. Although I will admit that I still ate four of them, it kept me from eating two of the full-size brownies!

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, refrigerated for 5-6 days, or frozen for up to two months.

Recipe FAQ’s

What makes brownies fudgy?

When it comes to fudgy brownies, it’s all about the fat-to-flour ratio. More fat = a fudgy consistency. So, add more fat if you want creamy fudgy brownies, and that means butter or chocolate. With these brownies, the butter content is high since cocoa is used instead of chocolate.
*The amount of sugar and eggs does not change the consistency of the brownie.

Why are cocoa brownies better than brownies made with chocolate?

Cocoa brownies are far superior to those made with chocolate. They have a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
-Cocoa brownies stay softer than those made with chocolate. They won’t feel dry or crumbly and refrigerate well.
-Because butter is much softer than cocoa butter(found in chocolate), cocoa brownies stay tender and velvety. 
-Cocoa powder is 100% chocolate, whereas chocolate bars contain less chocolate.

Why are my brownies dry?

You left them in the oven too long. The toothpick trick doesn’t work with brownies. Waiting until nothing is on the toothpick will seriously overbake the brownies. Take them out of the oven when there are still some crumbs on the toothpick.

More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love!

  • slices of chocolate cheesecake bars on a white counter
    Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
  • slice of chocolate mousse cake being taken out of whole cake
    Best Chocolate Mousse Cake
  • slice of Italian chocolate torte on a stack of white plates
    Authentic Italian Chocolate Torte
  • chocolate mousse in four white ramekins
    Classical French Chocolate Mousse Recipe

stack of Triple Chocolate Pecan Brownies on parchment paper

The Best Cocoa Brownies

These Triple Chocolate Cocoa Brownies are without a doubt the most delicious brownies I've ever had. You're friends and family will love them
4.98 from 84 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter (1 ¼ sticks = 5 ounces)
  • 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup plus 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs cold
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup pecans or walnuts
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate
  • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
  • ½ Cup white chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and get a 9″ square baking pan.
  • Line the baking pan with parchment or aluminum foil with an overhang on opposite sides so you can lift out the brownies from the pan.
  • Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa and salt in a heatproof bowl and place it over a small sauce pot with simmering water, to create a double boiler.
  • Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Remove the bowl from the heat and allow to cool just a little bit.
  • Add the vanilla and stir with a wooden spoon.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one (I’m not too sure just how vigorously you can stir the chocolate with a wooden spoon but give it a go).
  • When the batter looks thick, shiny and well blended add the flour and stir until you can no longer see it, and then beat it vigorously for 40 strokes with your wooden spoon.
  • Add the nuts and chocolate chips and spread evenly in your baking pan.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out slightly moist with batter.
  • Let cool completely on a wire rack.
  • After they have cooled lift the brownies out of the pan and gently remove the foil or parchment from the sides of the brownies.
  • Cut the brownies into squares and enjoy!!

Notes

* feel free to mix up the chips using whatever type you like, mint chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon, or whatever flavor chips you might like.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 74mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 3gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 350IUCalcium: 46mgIron: 1.8mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    4.98 from 84 votes (44 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Beth says

    January 31, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    We are big fans of brownies! We hardly ever have dessert, but when we do, it is usually brownies and your recipe was delicious!

    Reply
  2. Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers DFW Parenting/LIfestyle says

    January 31, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    I love a soft, gooey brownie with a scoop of ice cream or cherry pie filling on top. I’m not a huge pecan fan in my desserts. I love that you mixed brownies with fudge. I’ll have to give it a try.

    Reply
  3. Melissa Dixon says

    January 31, 2020 at 11:45 am

    Oh wow these look amazing. I really need to try them out. My daughter would love them and love me even more for it, I bet!

    Reply
  4. Ruth I says

    January 31, 2020 at 11:08 am

    5 stars
    Oh wow. This looks amazing! I would really want to try this. I am sure my niece would request this daily!

    Reply
  5. Lisa Favre says

    January 31, 2020 at 9:43 am

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness! These brownies were amazing!

    Reply
  6. Tammy says

    January 31, 2020 at 9:35 am

    5 stars
    You had me at brownies, but then you said “triple chocolate”. I’m in love. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  7. Catalina says

    January 31, 2020 at 7:36 am

    5 stars
    I love how fudgy these brownies were! The addition of pecans made them irresistible!

    Reply
  8. Agnes says

    January 31, 2020 at 2:34 am

    Haven’t bake any treats lately, glad I came across this. I will try this recipe, thank you!

    Reply
  9. cait says

    January 30, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    my kids are really into baking and id love for them to help me make something like this for a weekend party were hosting. yum tripe chocolate is a huge fan favorite

    Reply
  10. Sarah Bailey says

    January 30, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Oh my goodness yes please, these sound like they would be absolutely amazing I have to admit I have a huge soft spot for all things brownie!

    Reply
  11. Amber Myers says

    January 30, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    I know I’d eat SO many of these. I Just love brownies. My kids do as well, so we’d have to make tons of extras 😉

    Reply
  12. Tasheena says

    January 30, 2020 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    OMG! These brownies look so yummy. I can’t wait to make this recipe for my family.

    Reply
  13. Liz Mays says

    January 30, 2020 at 1:10 pm

    Now this is a good choice for some winter snacking. Making some for Valentine’s Day might be a good idea this year!

    Reply
  14. Julie says

    February 01, 2013 at 11:29 am

    I have a pecan fudge bar that will not be eaten. What recipes can I use so the fudge does not go to waste. Thanks

    Reply
    • Chef D says

      February 01, 2013 at 6:44 pm

      hi Julie, off hand I don’t have any recipes using something like that, You may try chopping it up and using it in the middle of a cake with the frosting as a cake filling, people often use candy bars for that.

      Reply
      • Julie says

        February 01, 2013 at 7:59 pm

        Thanks so much

  15. Audrey says

    November 29, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    These were absolutely amazing, and definitely a “do again”! I used room temp. coconut oil in place of the butter and white whole wheat flour in place of the white flour. Only had one kind of Chocolate chips in the house, but they turned out nicely. They will make a nice Christmas gift all wrapped up in parchment paper and twine. Thank you!!!!

    Reply
    • Chef D says

      November 29, 2012 at 8:20 pm

      thanks for letting me know Audrey, glad to hear it’s so easily adapted! I hope everyone loves those delicious brownies!

      Reply
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My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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