Grandma's Chocolate Chip Brownies

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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 recipe that I stopped making home made for a while. It just became too easy to grab a box from the grocery store. I remember 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.

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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.

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.

chocolate chip brownie batter in a clear glass bowl.

unbaked chocolate chip brownie on a baking pan.

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.

🎯 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 a crinkly top on your brownies. Use a whisk or stand mixer and make sure the mixture is light and fluffy before stopping.

Why are my brownies dry?

Over-baking 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.
Using too much flour is another common reason for dry brownies. Give your flour container a big stir before scooping- this helps with any compression of 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!