01 -
Set an oven rack in the center and preheat to 162°C (325°F). Use parchment or foil to line an 8-inch square pan, leaving an overhang for lifting later.
02 -
Heat the butter in a medium-sized pot over low-medium heat until it melts entirely. Once melted, remove it from the heat so it doesn't brown.
03 -
While the butter is still warm but not super hot, stir in the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. Blend it until smooth, but don't worry if it looks a bit grainy.
04 -
Set the mix aside to cool until it's comfortably warm, about 5-10 minutes. It shouldn't feel too hot to the touch.
05 -
Crack in one cold egg at a time, stirring quickly after each addition. The batter will start becoming thick and smooth.
06 -
Gradually mix in the flour, beating the batter about 40-50 strokes with a wooden spoon or spatula. The batter should pull slightly away from the pot walls.
07 -
If you picked any mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chunks, gently fold them in now.
08 -
Pour the dense batter into the lined pan and spread it out evenly. Take your time, as it’ll be thick. A spatula helps with smoothing the top.
09 -
Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. The edges should look done, but the middle will still seem slightly gooey. A toothpick test should pull out a bit sticky.
10 -
Leave the brownies in the pan to cool down entirely. This’ll help them firm up before removing.
11 -
For a cleaner cut, put the brownies in the fridge for about 1-2 hours. Then, slice them into 16 squares using a sharp knife.