Name: Brownie Recipe Without Cocoa Powder
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup all purpose flour; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 3 large eggs; 1/2 cup light brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 8 tbsp unsalted butter; 6 oz semisweet chocolate (coarsely chopped); 3 oz semisweet chocolate (roughly chopped)

Fudgy, chewy, and filled with melted chocolate, this easy brownie recipe without cocoa powder packs a chocolatey punch in the best way possible! Brownies made from scratch just got an upgrade.

Three fudgy brownies without cocoa powder on plate

There are some desserts that are sure to please, and these brownies with no cocoa powder recipe are one of them! If you know me (and my recipes), you know how much I love finding substitutions for classic treats.

You may have already seen my Hershey Kiss cookies without peanut butter, snowball cookies without n uts, chocolate chip cookies without baking soda, and snickerdoodles without cream of tartar recipes. Today, I’m taking on brownies with no cocoa powder!

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

All of the ingredients you need to make easy brownies with no cocoa powder
How to make brownies without cocoa powder by using melted chocolate as a substitute
The best tips for making homemade chocolate brownies

Below, I share how to make the most satisfying brownies with melted chocolate ever!

prepared ingredients for brownies without cocoa powder

How to Make This Brownie Recipe Without Cocoa Powder

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. While it heats, line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Leave a bit of overhang for easier removal.

STEP TWO: Combine the flour and salt in a small bowl and set aside. In another bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the sugars, but mix just until combined — don’t overmix!

STEP THREE: In a large bowl, melt the butter halfway. Then, remove it from heat (or the microwave) and stir in the coarsely chopped chocolate until it becomes melted and glossy.

If you still have bits after stirring for a few minutes, place the mixture in the microwave and heat for 20 seconds. Continue stirring until all of the chocolate is melted.

I recommend using Ghiradelli’s semi-sweet chocolate baking bars for the best flavor. High-quality chocolate really makes a difference in these homemade brownies!

STEP FOUR: Pour the egg mixture into the chocolate and mix slightly, being careful not to over mix. Add the flour and salt until all of the ingredients are combined. Fold in the roughly chopped chocolate bits.

STEP FIVE: Pour the batter into the dish and bake for 35 minutes. Let the brownies cool for at least 1 hour before cutting.

bake for 35 minutes and let brownies cool for 1 hour

cut the brownies once they've completely cooled

The Best Chocolate To Use for This Homemade Brownie Recipe

As you gather your ingredients, you may be wondering the best chocolate to use as a substitute for cocoa powder in brownies. I recommend that you use a high-quality semisweet chocolate bar that you can chop to get the texture and quantity needed.

Alternatively, you can use semisweet chocolate chips, but higher quality chocolate melts a lot better. It will also give your brownies with no cocoa powder a richer and fudgier taste.

How to Make a True Fudgy Brownie

The secret to making a truly fudgy and chewy chocolate brownie is the melted chocolate! Fudgy brownies tend to have a higher fat to flour ratio. As mentioned, if you use cocoa powder, you cut out a lot of added sugar and fat.

Replace it by using high-quality, semisweet chocolate as a substitute for cocoa powder in brownies.

Tips for Making the Best From Scratch Brownie With No Cocoa Powder

Use high-quality semisweet baking chocolate — I recommend using Ghiradelli’s semi-sweet chocolate baking bars for the best flavor
Don’t over mix! Overmixing will give you a cakey brownie
Make sure to add the ingredients as instructed in the recipe, or you could end up cooking the eggs in the melted chocolate — which you don’t want!
Don’t overbake the brownies either. Stick a toothpick in the center of the pan of brownies before you take them out of the oven. You know they’re cooked to perfection if some wet and crumbly bits stick to the toothpick.

Are Brownies Better with Cocoa Powder or Melted Chocolate?

Brownies made with cocoa powder tend to be cakey and softer than brownies made with melted chocolate.

Homemade brownies from scratch that use melted chocolate are fudgy and chewier. It all depends on the texture and flavor you’re looking for!

brownies without cocoa powder cut into squares on parchment paper

What Can I Add into the Brownies?

The possibilities are endless for this brownie recipe without cocoa powder! I personally love to add chocolate chips into the batter, but you can add so much more:

Chopped walnuts
Extra chocolate chips
Peanut butter or cheesecake swirl
Chopped pieces of your favorite candy bar
Vanilla extract
Marshmallows
Cream cheese frosting for the top

How to Store Brownies with Melted Chocolate

Store your brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will usually last for about 3 days.

You can also place them in the fridge, where they will keep for about a week. These brownies with melted chocolate will last for 3 months in the freezer.

plate with brownies without cocoa powder

How to Cut Brownies

Make sure your brownies with no cocoa powder are cool before cutting. Remove them from the baking pan. Run a knife under hot water and dry it before cutting. Make sure to rinse your knife after each cut!

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