One-Bowl Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars
Rich, fudgy chocolate brownie bars made in one bowl with simple ingredients, perfect for an easy crowd-pleasing dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 40 minutes layers (2 sticks) unsalted butter, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) gently for 1-2 minutes until fully melted; whisk in 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar until smooth.
- Step 3: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/2 tsp salt; fold gently into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips evenly.
- Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 28-32 minutes until edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Step 7: Cool completely in pan before lifting out using parchment overhang. Cut into 24 bars and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Bowl Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover One-Bowl Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Bowl Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Bowl Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Bowl Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
