Simple Frosted Cocoa Brownies

 

The solstice and the 4th of July are the two big days that mark the beginning of summer.

Now we are in the thick of it. Expect barbecues, picnics, and day trips to the beach. Pool parties if you’re lucky.

These brownies are easy to pull together and they’re great for events. Take them anywhere. They’re delicious. They’re chocolatey from the cocoa, but they are also light enough that they won’t overwhelm everything else on the table. The frosting is thick enough that it won’t melt in the heat. I never thought I’d say that I liked a cakey brownie, but these have a lighter texture and I love them– something about them reminds me of childhood.

So bake these, share them, take them with you.

(Note: Don’t skip the frosting on these. The brownies alone have a dry and crumbly texture, and they don’t do well un-frosted.)

Our key ingredients. Flour, sugar, cocoa.

Would you believe me if I told you this recipe only uses 10 ingredients? It’s true.

Even better, it comes together quickly and easily. Two bowls. Stir the batter together, spread it into a foil-lined pan, bake. Whip up the frosting and put it right on top of the warm brownies.

Simple.

I made these brownies in under an hour, and I was taking my time.

This recipe is originally somebody’s grandma’s recipe, and you can tell. They are delicious and chocolatey and rich… But they’re also comforting and familiar.

I hope you’ll make these brownies and share them with everyone you know. (I know I will.)

• Servings: 9
• Time: 45 minutes
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Ingredients

For the brownies:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup loosely packed brown sugar (I used granulated)
• 3 tablespoons dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• a pinch of salt

For the frosting:

• 2 tablespoons soft butter
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment or foil. Grease the pan.
2. Melt the butter and pour it into a mixing bowl. Add the vanilla, brown sugar, and cocoa powder. Stir together until thoroughly combined.
3. Add in the egg and stir until it is completely incorporated.
4. Add the flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Mix the dry ingredients in until just combined. This should form a very thick batter.
6. Scrape the batter into your prepared pan, and spread it into an even layer using an offset spatula or a knife. It should reach the edges of the pan.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the brownies comes out clean.
8. While the brownies are baking, make the frosting. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons of softened butter, 1 tablespoon of cocoa, the powdered sugar, and the milk.
9. Stir the frosting together with a spoon until it reaches a spreadable consistency. The frosting should be thick.
10. When the brownies are done, remove them from the oven and let cool no more than 5-10 minutes. Spread the frosting on while the brownies are still warm. Cut into 9 squares to serve.

Adapted from The Busy Baker.