Ah, the unassuming envelope of onion soup mix. It's more than just for onion soup (or dip). It adds tremendous flavor (and convenience) in all these recipes.

A brownie is like a blank canvas! This recipe gives you a simple and delectable base for whatever work of art you dream up: Ice cream, berries, peanut butter sauce, oh, the choices!
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, optional
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Add the butter to a 9x13 baking dish. Place in the oven to melt.
When melted, remove the pan from the oven and place on a heat-proof surface. Let cool.
Add the sugar to the melted butter and mix well. Stir in the eggs until incorporated.
While stirring, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Mix until blended.
Stir in the vanilla and nuts, if using.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until set in the middle.
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares..
Store the brownies in an airtight container.
Jeri Manthey, CDKitchen Staff
Read more: Brownies, A Legacy in Chocolate
Try adding a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder to the batter.
Garnish with sea salt flakes after baking for a sweet and salty contrast.
Experiment with different types of nuts, like walnuts, pecans, or almonds
Yes, you can use different types of flour like whole wheat flour for a healthier option or a gluten-free flour blend if you need a gluten-free version. The texture might vary slightly with different flours.
If you don't have cocoa powder, you can use 4 ounces of unsweetened baking chocolate. Melt it with the butter before adding the other ingredients.
To make the brownies more chocolatey, you can add chocolate chips or chunks to the batter, or increase the amount of cocoa powder slightly.
You can add mix-ins like chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or dried fruit like cherries or raisins.
The brownies are done when the edges look set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake as they will continue to set as they cool.
Yes, you can use a different size pan, but you may need to adjust the baking time. A smaller pan will result in thicker brownies that may need more time, while a larger pan will make thinner brownies that bake faster.
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Yes, you can freeze the brownies. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Serve these brownies with a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar for added indulgence.
Ah, the unassuming envelope of onion soup mix. It's more than just for onion soup (or dip). It adds tremendous flavor (and convenience) in all these recipes.
Delicious recipes for red velvet cakes, cupcakes, and cheesecakes.
The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.
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reviews & comments
April 10, 2020
Personally, having 12 tbs of cocoa powder is a bit to strong. But it was still pretty good.
April 9, 2020
I went to âstateâ every year that I made these brownies! Thank you for refreshing my memory on the recipe!
Thank you
April 18, 2017
I made these 4-H Brownies when I was in 4-H. My family fell in love with them also. We always are making them. Yum yum
Can I not bake this without sifting? I don't own a sifter.
You can, but the texture will be different. If you have a fine mesh strainer you can use that to sift.
am i suppose to mix the butter with the other ingredients or is that just so that the brownies wont stick to the pan>
You melt the butter in the baking pan and stir the other ingredients into that pan (saves dirtying a bowl!)
November 17, 2007
We made these but turned them into "Everything Brownies". Topping: 1/4 cup each: chopped peanut butter cups, dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, chopped caramel pieces, miniature marshmallows. Follow the "Basic Brownies" baking instructions (reduce temp to 300F if using a glass pan). When brownies are baked, remove from oven and immediately top with topping ingredients evenly sprinkling them over the brownie base. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until the toppings begin to soften. They will not melt completely. Absolutely to die for.
September 9, 2007
These brownies were amazingly good and very easy to make! I used Hershey's Dark cocoa which gave them a rich chocolate flavor that wasn't too sweet. I also omitted the walnuts.
October 17, 2006
These brownies were a hit at work but unfortunately my mixer couldn't say the same thing. Guess I will use dough hooks next time!
January 30, 2006
Oh My God!!!! Thank you Tara for such a superb and simple recipe. I and my family gobbled the brownies down before I managed to make the custard!!! Superb. Lost recipe and found it on the web again!! Phew!!!!
February 2, 2004
thank you ! its very good tastein