Fudgy Chocolate “Budget” Brownies

If I had to choose just one dessert that I could only have for the rest of my life, it would be brownies. I could write you an essay about why they are the best dessert known to mankind or debate anyone who dared to challenge me on any stage.

So, as the ambassador of brownies, you have to believe me when I tell you that these brownies are incredible!

I’ve been known as the “girl who makes awesome brownies” ever since I was in school. I used to make them for my friends and teachers when I was teenager and later ran a home-based cake business where brownies were one of my most popular orders.

Truth be told, the recipe that fuelled my ascent to becoming “the brownie queen” is not this one. I used to make a recipe that I found on Martha Stewart and it was my go-to for so many years. So, when I tell you that this recipe has all about replaced that one, you know it’s good.

I still love that recipe, it is amazing, but this recipe just beats out because it is just so easy to make. I don’t have to melt butter and chocolate in a double boiler or cream anything, etc. All it takes is a couple of bowls (one for the wet ingredients and one for the dry) and a whisk or spoon. And it’s ready for the oven in about 10 minutes flat!

Budget-Friendly

These brownies are one that evolved from a recipe that I nicknamed “budget brownie” in my head because the ingredients for it are way cheaper than usual. The best part is that it can still be a budget brownie if you leave the chocolate out. Of course, that would make it slightly less decadent, but when you have a craving for brownies and you don’t have time for a supermarket run, the rest of those ingredients are probably something you have around already!

What are the ingredients needed to make Fudgy Brownies?

• 3/4 cup (175ml) vegetable oil,
• 300g sugar,
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla,
• 3 eggs,
• 3/4 cup (100g) all-purpose flour/maida,
• 1/2 cup (70g) cocoa powder,
• 1 tsp instant coffee powder (optional),
• 1/2 tsp baking powder,
• 1/2 tsp salt,
• 100-200g chocolate, chopped into chunks (optional)

How to make homemade Fudgy Brownies?

This is the easiest brownie recipe ever. You only need two bowls (or one if you’re feeling lazy). Mix the dry ingredients in one of the bowls and the wet ingredients in another. All that’s left to do is combine both and add in some chopped chocolate chunks. Bung it in a lined baking tray and off to the oven it goes!

Get the full step-by-step guide to making my fudgy budget brownies below.

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

Step 1: Make the brownie batter.

• 3/4 cup (175ml) vegetable oil,
• 300g sugar,
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla,
• 3 eggs,
• 3/4 cup (100g) all-purpose flour/maida,
• 1/2 cup (70g) cocoa powder,
• 1 tsp instant coffee powder (optional),
• 1/2 tsp baking powder,
• 1/2 tsp salt,
• 100-200g chocolate, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 175° C. Grease and line a 9″ baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix all dry ingredients together and set aside.
3. Mix oil and sugar together in a big bowl. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Combine dry ingredients into the batter.
5. Fold in the chopped chocolate.
6. Pour into a 9″ baking pan and that is greased and lined with parchment paper.

Step 2: Bake.

1. Bake in a 175° C preheated oven for around 30-40 minutes. Knife/skewer inserted in middle should be free of raw batter.
2. Let the brown cool completely before cutting to make sure you get clean cuts.

Notes

– The melted chocolate chunks may harden slightly after a while. Heating the brownie slightly before serving will make them perfectly gooey.
– You can use white or brown sugar. Brown sugar will give you a slightly chewier texture.
– I do not recommend using chocolate chips here. I chop baking chocolate into chunks. Also, you can use lesser chocolate if you like or even more. The more chocolate you add, the more of those molten pockets of gooeyness you’ll get.
– As I mentioned, this recipe can be made without the chopped chocolate too.