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    Home » Desserts » 30 Minute Fast and Easy Brownies

    Published: Oct 12, 2020 · Modified: Sep 21, 2023 by Nancy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    30 Minute Fast and Easy Brownies

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Winner of Insider's Brownie comparison test

    When you have a craving for brownies, you want them ready five minutes ago. These are faster to make than a box mix, and taste better!

    30 Minute Fast and Easy Brownies on a white plate with a fork. Glass of milk and napkin next to the plate.

    When Kevin gets a craving for chocolate and we don't have anything in the house, it can get dangerous. He turns into some kind of chocolate hunting monster that growls and tears cabinets apart searching for a morsel. When I tell him I can have homemade brownies ready in about a half an hour, it calms him enough to sit and wait -- but only for that long!

    No Waiting For Butter To Soften

    One thing I like about this recipe is that you don't have to wait for butter to soften, because you melt it before adding other ingredients. Another thing I like is that you don't need to use a mixer, you simply mix it all by hand using a spatula. In fact, you mix the whole thing in a saucepan and then pour it into a greased 13 x 9 pan for baking -- how easy is that?!

    A close up image of 30 minute fast and easy brownies in a baking pan
    30 Minute Fast and Easy Brownies

    The ingredients you need are things you probably always have in your cabinet. I love knowing I can calm the chocolate monster without having to worry about running to the store! Here's what you'll need:

    • Butter
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • Vanilla extract
    • Sugar
    • Eggs
    • Flour
    • Baking powder
    • Salt
    • Optional: chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts

    Hints for Perfect 30 Minute Fast and Easy Brownies

    • Make sure each ingredient is fully mixed in before adding the next.
    • If you're adding any chocolate chips or chopped nuts, stir them in at the very end, right before you pour the batter into the baking pan.
    • If you can wait (Kevin never can) allow the brownies to cool fully. They will cut easier and cleaner, plus they will taste better because the flavors have been allowed to fully incorporate together.

    Do you love fast and easy brownies? Try our recipe for 20 Minute Sheetcake Brownies with Fudgy Icing. Let us know which one is your favorite!

    A square brownie on an ivory plate with a glass of milk above it and a fork next to it

    30 Minute Fast and Easy Brownies

    Nancy Blackstone
    When you have a craving for brownies, you want them ready five minutes ago. These are faster to make than a box mix, and taste better!
    4.50 from 22 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 Brownies
    Calories 240 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¾ cup butter
    • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 ¼ cups sugar
    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 ¼ cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¾ cup chocolate chips optional
    • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan with butter and set aside.
    • In a medium pan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
    • When butter is completely melted, use a rubber spatula to mix in cocoa powder.
    • Turn off heat and stir in vanilla and sugar.
    • Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
    • Stir in flour, baking powder and salt until fully incorporated.
    • If you are adding chocolate chips and/or chopped nuts, gently mix them in now.
    • Pour batter into the prepared 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs on it. It will finish the baking process as it cools.

    Notes

    • You can add any flavor chips to these brownies just before baking - milk chocolate, semi-sweet, peanut butter or white chocolate.
    • Brownies cut easier and cleaner when they are fully cooled -- if you can wait that long!
    • The brownies will taste better a couple of hours after they come out of the oven, because the flavors have had time to bind together during the cooling process.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 215mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 268IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword 30 minute brownies, brownies kids can make, easy from scratch brownies, no preservative brownies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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      Nancy and Bentley

      Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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