Pantry Cocoa Brownies

Yield: Makes 16

Prep Time: 20 minutes to 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes to 30 minutes

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 2/3 cup canola or flavorless oil
  
• 2/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  
• 3 large eggs
  
• 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
  
• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  

Instructions

1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F. Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Dust the pan with flour, tap out the excess, and set aside.

2. Place the oil into a microwave-safe medium bowl and heat on low power in 4 to 6 (5-second) bursts until warm but not hot. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until completely smooth and combined. Let sit for 4 or 5 minutes so the cocoa can bloom. Meanwhile, prepare the dry and wet ingredients.

3. Place the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and whisk to combine; set aside.

4. Place the eggs, powdered sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl. (Alternatively, place in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.) Using an electric hand mixer, beat on medium speed until fluffy and lighter in color, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla until just combined.

5. Add 1/2 of the cocoa mixture to the egg mixture and mix at medium-high speed until shiny and fully combined, about 5 minutes. Add the flour mixture to the egg and cocoa mixture and mix at low speed until fully combined. Add the remaining cocoa mixture and and mix at medium-high speed until shiny and fully combined, about 1 minute. Transfer to the baking pan and spread into an even layer.

6. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes (you can bake for up to 30 minutes if you like a firmer brownie with some crisp edges). The brownies will pull away from the edges of the pan, but a cake tester or knife inserted in the middle will not come out clean. Let cool before cutting into 16 squares.

Storage: The brownies can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Tami Weiser is a writer, recipe developer, culinary educator, and caterer. She is a graduate of the Professional Culinary Arts program at the Institute for Culinary Education (ICE) in New York.

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Tami Wieser Pantry Brownies