Cocoa brownies are slightly cakey, fudgy brownies with rich chocolate flavor. You can have these cocoa brownies in the oven in less than 10 minutes!

Cocoa Brownies--rich, chocolatey, moist, and super easy!

It’s been over a week since I wrote about anything chocolate, so it’s high time, wouldn’t you agree? I’m going to share with you a cocoa brownie recipe from a little paperback Hershey’s Cocoa Cookbook that’s copyrighted 1979. It’s one that my Mama gave me when I set up my first kitchen 25 years ago—and I still cook from it.

While the book titles these brownies “The Best Brownies,” I don’t think I’d claim them as the best. But they are definitely in my top ten and my go-to brownie when I don’t have time to mess with melting chocolate or making a fancier, more complicated brownie. These are perfect: fudgy and dense.

Looking for a different brownie? Try these fabulous Pumpkin Peanut Butter Brownies or these Cheesecake Brownies.

How to make cocoa brownies

Start by getting your pan ready. The recipe for cocoa brownies calls for a 9-inch square pan, but you could use an 8-inch if you want thicker brownies. When making brownies, cover your pan with tin foil and then lightly spray the foil.

Once the brownies cool enough, all you have to do is lift out the foil and then cut the brownies. No trying to get all the good brownie crumbs out of the corner of the pan.

Cocoa Brownies--rich, chocolatey, moist, and super easy!

Next, melt one stick of butter and stir in sugar and vanilla. Add 2 eggs and beat well with spoon. In a separate bowl, combine cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt.

Cocoa Brownies--rich, chocolatey, moist, and super easy!

Gradually add the cocoa mixture to the eggs and stir until well blended.

Cocoa Brownies--rich, chocolatey, moist, and super easy!

Once the batter is well blended and no lumps are hiding in there, pour it into the prepared pan. Spread evenly and bake for about 20 minutes, or until brownie just begins to pull away from edges.

Cool in the pan and then pull out the foil by holding two sides. Slice the cocoa brownies and serve. These will probably keep in an airtight container for a couple of days, but I wouldn’t know. At my house, there’s no such thing as brownies+storage.

Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
4.86 from 7 votes

Cocoa Brownies

Cocoa brownies that are perfectly chocolate, dense, slightly cakey and hit the spot every time!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 16 brownies

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • cup Hershey’s Cocoa
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350. Cover a 9-inch square pan with tin foil and lightly grease the foil.
  • Blend melted butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl. Add eggs; mix well with spoon.
  • Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to eggs and stir until well blended.
  • Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or just until brownie begins to pull away from edges.
  • Cool in pan for about 10 minutes, then gently lift the foil out and allow brownies to cool before cutting.

Nutrition

Serving: 16brownies, Calories: 133kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 38mg, Sugar: 12g
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 133
Keyword: cocoa brownies
Love this recipe?Mention @southernfoodandfun or tag #southernfoodandfun!
Lucy standing behind a counter with a cheese board and glass of wine.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

Follow Lucy on social media:

You May Also Like:

Sign up with your email address to receive a 5-day series of Southern Cooking Secrets, followed by weekly emails with recipes and tips. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Leave a comment

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

Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My husband loved these. Made them exactly as the recipe stated. Will be making many more times I am certain! Thank You

  2. 5 stars
    My husband loved these. Made them exactly as the recipe stated. Will be making many more times I am certain! Thank You

  3. Lucy, you are so not helping me to reduce! Maybe I can count the calories that I just burned leaving the computer to pull the ingredients together 🙂