The Feathered Nester

Sourdough + Family-Friendly Recipes

an image of easy homemade brownies.
Recipes » Food and Recipes

Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Brownies

By , Last Updated

Jump to Recipe

Our chocolate chip brownies recipe is just how Grandma made them! I remember my grandma making these for an after dinner treat and I couldn’t get through dinner time fast enough. When I had kids, I’d make brownies for an after school snack. The girls would get so excited to come home to the house smelling like brownies. Between us girls, I’m surprised there was any left by the time my husband got home! If you are looking for a fun, easy way to surprise a loved one with dessert (or even just treat yourself!) try our easy homemade brownies.

an image of homemade brownies with chocolate chips.

Brownies are another one of those recipes that I stopped making home made for a while. It just became too easy to grab a box from the grocery store. I remember vividly the day I thought, “wait a second, I know how to make these from scratch-why am I buying them at the store??”. Making brownies homemade just tastes better somehow, try it and let me know if you agree!

We have several recipes that can be bought in the grocery store that we love making home made instead: hamburger buns, chocolate chip cookies, and sandwich bread are my top favorites.

a plate of homemade brownies with chocolate chips.

Why We Love Easy Homemade Brownies

  • Nostalgia- this recipe is just like my grandma made them. Starting family traditions through food is so special, I hope you’ll keep this recipe in your family for years to come.
  • Simple ingredients- you don’t need a pre-made brownie box mix, this recipe has simple pantry staples you stir together to create a delicious dessert. No questioning ingredients on the box, just simple ingredients.
  • Quick and easy- this recipe is ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Sugar- we recommend granulated sugar but you can substitute for coconut sugar.
  • All-purpose flour- if you prefer denser brownies you can use bread flour instead.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips- or chocolate chunks, if that is your preference
  • Cocoa powder- we recommend Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • Butter- if using salted, you might need to adjust the salt in this recipe (depending on your preference).
  • Egg- room temperature eggs will blend more smoothly with the butter, pull them out ahead of time and allow them to come to room temperature. If you need an egg- free alternative, we recommend 1/4 cup applesauce or using a flax egg.
  • Vanilla extract- high recommended as it helps enhance the chocolate flavor, you can also substitute with 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of espresso powder.

Equipment

  • Medium mixing bowl
  • 9″ square baking pan

How to Make Chocolate Chip Brownies

homemade brownie ingredients in a clear glass bowl.
homemade brownie ingredients in a clear glass bowl.
homemade brownie ingredients in a clear glass bowl.
  1. Prepare baking pan by spraying with cooking spray or greasing it. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  2. Add all ingredients to a medium mixing bowl and stir until well-blended.

chocolate chip brownie batter in a clear glass bowl.
unbaked chocolate chip brownie on a baking pan.
chocolate chip brownie on a baking pan.
  1. Pour ingredients into prepared baking pan. Smooth the top, if needed. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the brownies only contains a few crumbs on it.
  2. Let cool for at least 15 minutes, and cut into 16 squares before serving.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

Don’t overbake: These brownies are done when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. They’ll continue cooking in the hot pan after you take them out of the oven, so pulling them a minute or two early is better than leaving them too long. Nobody wants dry brownies!

 

Recipe FAQs

How do I get a “crackly” top on my brownies?

Make sure to beat your eggs and sugar together well to achieve this crinkly top on your brownies. Use a whisk or stand mixer and make sure they are light and fluffy before stopping.

Why are my brownies dry?

Overtaking is the most common reason for dry brownies. Check frequently around the end of the baking time. Use a toothpick to determine when the brownies are done, it is fine if there are some brownie “crumbles” on the toothpick.
Too much flour is another reason brownies are dry. Give your flour container a big stir before scooping- this helps with any compression on the flour from sitting.

How do I get clean cuts on my brownies?

I know it is hard, but you have to wait for brownies to cool completely if you want to get clean looking cuts. You can put them in the fridge to speed this up!

a close up shot of chocolate chip brownies.

Other Dessert Recipes to Consider

If you tried our Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Brownies recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

an image of easy homemade brownies.

Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Brownies

Renae Gerhardstein
Be the first to review this!
Print Pin
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 brownies
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 281
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 10 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 8 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
  • 4 large eggs beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon salt

optional

  • ½ cup nuts chopped

Instructions 

  • Prepare baking pan by spraying with cooking spray or greasing it. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Add all ingredients to a medium mixing bowl and stir until well-blended.
  • Pour ingredients into prepared baking pan. Smooth the top, if needed. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the brownies only contains a few crumbs on it.
  • Let cool for at least 15 minutes, and cut into 16 squares before serving.

Notes

For the best texture: Make sure your melted butter has cooled for about 10 minutes before adding it to the bowl. If it’s too hot, it can start cooking the eggs and create a grainy texture instead of the fudgy brownies we’re going for.
Don’t overbake: These brownies are done when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. They’ll continue cooking in the hot pan after you take them out of the oven, so pulling them a minute or two early is better than leaving them too long. Nobody wants dry brownies!
Let them rest: I know it’s hard to wait, but giving these at least a full 15 minutes to cool helps them set up properly. They’ll be easier to cut and won’t fall apart when you serve them.
Room temperature eggs work best: If you remember to pull your eggs out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking, they’ll blend more smoothly into the batter.
Storage: Keep leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Make them your own: If you’re not a fan of nuts, skip them entirely (they are optional) or swap in extra chocolate chips, milk chocolate, or peanut butter chips. Some of my readers love adding a swirl of peanut butter or a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking.
**Nutritional facts do not include nuts

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg
PIN THIS RECIPE
a graphic pin image for chocolate chip brownies.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email below, and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please leave a rating!




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.