8 tbsp. butter (1 stick)
1 cup plus 2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. dutch cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

  • melt butter, then remove from heat and stir in sugar
  • return to the heat briefly and stir to dissolve the sugar
  • remove from heat and stir in cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla
  • whisk in eggs, one at a time
  • stir in flour then add chocolate chips
  • pour into greased or foil-lined 8x8” pan
  • bake at 350°F for 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean

source: King Arthur, the Essential Cookie Companion, p. 127.

04/21/2024: the original recipe made enough for a 9x13” pan, which is more brownies than i want, esp. while i’m trying out a new recipe. so i halved this for an 8x8” pan.