Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies
Ultra-Fudgy, Crackly-Topped Brownies Made With Pantry Staples
Brownies are one of those timeless desserts that make any day feel special. When you get that craving for a warm, gooey, chocolatey treat — but you don’t want to fuss with complicated ingredients — these Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies will become your go-to recipe. With the perfect balance of rich cocoa flavor and fudgy texture, every bite will blow your mind that they’re made using only 5 simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen: butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and cocoa powder.
Whether you’re hosting guests, baking with kids, or treating yourself to a cozy dessert night, there’s no wrong time for these brownies. And what makes them even better? They deliver that coveted crackly top and super-gooey center — the kind of brownies that disappear faster than you can slice them.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into how to make the Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies perfectly every single time, plus offer variations, troubleshooting tips, serving suggestions, storage methods, and more. If you’re searching for the ultimate Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies recipe that’s foolproof, affordable, and beyond delicious — you’ve found it.
⭐ Why You’ll Love These Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies
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✔️ Only 5 everyday ingredients
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✔️ No mixer required (but it helps for the shiny top!)
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✔️ Thick, gooey, fudgy texture
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✔️ Perfect crackly, glossy shell
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✔️ Takes just 10 minutes of hands-on work
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✔️ Bakes in under 40 minutes
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✔️ Totally customizable with mix-ins
This is the kind of recipe you memorize because it’s that easy — and crazy delicious.
📌 Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies — Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 33–38 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes
Servings: 12 brownies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
🧾 Ingredients
(Scale 1x, 2x, or 3x depending on how many brownies you need!)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Granulated sugar | 2 cups (420g) | Sweetness + structure |
| Large eggs | 4 | Room temperature for better mixing |
| Salted butter, melted | 1 cup (226g) | For richness and moisture |
| Cocoa powder | 2/3 cup (62g) | Unsweetened |
| All-purpose flour | 3/4 cup (98g) | Just enough for fudgy texture |
👉 Optional but recommended:
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon salt (unless using salted butter — then optional)
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1 cup chocolate chips for extra gooeyness
🍫 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep Your Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Line a metal 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper. (See tips below!)
2️⃣ Make the Batter
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Add eggs and sugar to a large mixing bowl.
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Beat on high speed for 3–4 minutes until silky and pale
(this dissolves sugar and creates the shiny top!) -
Whisk in the melted butter and vanilla
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Add flour, cocoa powder, and salt
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Fold gently until just combined — don’t overmix!
✔️ Optional: Stir in chocolate chips for lava-style centers
3️⃣ Bake
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Spread batter evenly into the pan
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Bake 33–38 minutes
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The top should be set and toothpick should come out with fudgy crumbs — not wet batter
🔥 Pro Tip: Brownies continue to cook as they cool — don’t overbake!
4️⃣ Cool + Slice
Let brownies cool for at least 1 hour for clean slices and the right fudgy firmness.
🧁 What Makes These the “Best-Ever”?
There are thousands of brownie recipes out there — so what makes these Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies a true standout?
✔️ The egg and sugar whipping step creates structure and a signature crackly top
✔️ The high fat-to-flour ratio ensures fudginess — never cakey
✔️ Cocoa powder gives concentrated chocolate depth without needing bars of chocolate
✔️ Salted butter = extra flavor + no need for extra salt
✔️ Minimal ingredients = brownies anytime, no grocery run needed
These brownies strike the perfect balance: rich but not overly dense, sweet but not cloying, classic with endless room for customization.
💡 Baking Tips for Perfect Results
Want truly Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies every time? These small tricks make a huge difference:
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Use a metal pan | Glass bakes slower → edges overcook before center sets |
| Beat sugar + eggs thoroughly | Dissolves sugar + gives shiny, flaky top |
| Avoid overmixing flour | Keeps texture tender and fudgy |
| Let them cool fully | Prevents squishy square-less middle |
| Measure flour accurately | Too much flour = cakey brownies |
🥄 Texture Guide: Choose Your Brownie Style
| Style | Bake Less For | Bake Longer For |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-fudgy | 30–33 minutes | → gooey center |
| Classic fudgy | 34–36 minutes | → thick chewy center |
| Slightly cakier | 37–40 minutes | → more structure |
Every oven is different — watch visual cues, not just the clock!
🍫 Dealing With 5-Ingredient Purists…
Technically, yes, this recipe can include salt and vanilla — but they’re still optional. The core brownies are truly just:
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Butter
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Sugar
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Eggs
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Flour
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Cocoa powder
If you want the most intense chocolate flavor, vanilla is your best friend — but if you’re strictly sticking to Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies, skip it and enjoy!
🧩 Mix-In Ideas (If You Want More Than 5 Ingredients)
Turn these into your dream brownies:
| Crave This? | Add This! |
|---|---|
| Melt-in-your-mouth gooey | Chocolate chips / chunks |
| Sweet-n-salty | Flaky sea salt topping |
| Nutty crunch | Walnuts, almonds, pecans |
| Dessert-shop vibes | Peanut butter swirls |
| Mocha flavor | 1 tsp espresso powder |
| Holiday twist | Mint chips or crushed candy canes |
🎯 Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or cakey brownies | Too much flour or overbaking | Bake less + measure properly |
| No crackly top | Didn’t whip eggs and sugar enough | Beat longer until glossy and thick |
| Raw center | Underbaked | Add 3–5 minutes, cover edges with foil if needed |
| Bitter taste | Low-quality cocoa | Use Dutch-process cocoa |
🍽 How to Serve These Brownies
These Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies are irresistible warm — but even more magical with toppings!
Try them with:
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Vanilla ice cream 🍨
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Hot fudge or caramel drizzle 🍯
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Fresh berries 🍓
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Whipped cream ☁️
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A dusting of powdered sugar ❄️
Warm one in the microwave for 10 seconds… heaven!
🧊 Storage + Freezing
| Storage Method | How Long | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 3–4 days | Airtight container |
| Refrigerator | 1 week | Cover tightly to prevent drying |
| Freezer | 2–3 months | Wrap individually for easy snacking |
To thaw: let sit at room temp 30–60 minutes, or microwave briefly.
🙋♀️ FAQs
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Use a 9×13 inch pan and add 5–10 minutes to baking time.
Can I use Dutch-process cocoa powder?
Yes! It gives deeper flavor and darker color.
Can I add chocolate bars instead of chips?
Yes — chop and fold them into the batter before baking.
Why does the sugar need to dissolve?
It melts into thin layers that crackle beautifully on top.
Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies
These Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies are ultra-fudgy, gooey, and finished with that perfect shiny crackly top. Made with just butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and cocoa powder, they deliver a rich chocolate flavor without any complicated steps or ingredients. A true classic — simple, indulgent, and sure to become your go-to brownie recipe!
Ingredients
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2 cups granulated sugar (420 g)
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4 large eggs, room temperature
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1 cup salted butter, melted (226 g)
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2/3 cup cocoa powder (62 g)
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3/4 cup all-purpose flour (98 g)
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1/4 teaspoon salt (optional depending on butter saltiness)
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended)
✔ Still only 5 core ingredients — salt + vanilla just improve flavor!
Instructions
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Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×9 metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. -
Beat Eggs + Sugar
In a large bowl, beat sugar and eggs together on high speed for 3–4 minutes until lightened in color and the mixture feels mostly smooth when rubbed between your fingers. -
Add Butter + Vanilla
Whisk in melted butter and vanilla until fully combined. -
Add Dry Ingredients
Add cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Fold gently with a spatula just until no dry streaks remain.
(Optional: Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips for extra richness.) -
Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 33–38 minutes.-
Center should look set with moist crumbs on a toothpick
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Edges will pull away slightly from the pan
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Cool Completely
Let brownies cool at least 1 hour before slicing.
They continue setting as they cool — cutting too early will make them look underbaked.
Notes
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Beat the eggs and sugar well — this is what creates the shiny top!
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Use a metal pan for proper heat conduction (glass takes longer + can overcook edges)
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Avoid overbaking — fudgy brownies finish setting as they cool
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For clean slices, chill briefly before cutting and wipe the knife between cuts
Final Thoughts: Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies
When it comes to brownies, sometimes simple is best — and these Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies prove it with every irresistible bite. With minimal ingredients, maximum chocolate flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth fudginess, this is a recipe you’ll reach for again and again. Whether you’re whipping up a treat for a special celebration or satisfying a sudden chocolate craving, this easy brownie recipe guarantees a decadently satisfying result.
So go ahead — preheat the oven, grab those 5 pantry staples, and experience why these truly are the Best-Ever 5 Ingredient Brownies!
