Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool and Cut: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Tips for the Perfect Brownies:
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can lead to dry, crumbly brownies. A toothpick test is the best way to determine doneness.
- Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best flavor.
- Cool Completely: Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- Experiment with Add-ins: Customize your brownies by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins.
Enjoy these classic, rich, and fudgy brownies!