The Best Brownies

I have always had a passion for baking growing up. As a college student, finding the time to make the baked goods I crave is rather difficult for me. I found a love for making brownies, as they are the perfect sweet treat after a long day, and do not require much time and energy. They are the most optimal dessert to make for me to hone my passions as a novice baker, as well as to enjoy with my family and friends. You will not regret trying this simple but delicious brownie recipe.

Precautions:

1. Preheat your oven properly: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before you put the brownies in. This helps them bake evenly and turn out just right.
2. Use oven mitts: When handling hot pans or reaching into the oven, don’t forget to use oven mitts to protect your hands from burns.
3. Be careful with your equipment:
4. Avoid using metal utensils on non-stick pans to prevent scratching the surface.
5. Be cautious with sharp tools, like knives, when you’re cutting your brownies.
6. If you’re using an electric mixer, always turn it off before adding ingredients so they don’t splatter everywhere.
7. Measure your ingredients accurately: This step is super important. If you want your brownies to come out perfectly, follow the recipe’s measurements closely.
8. Let the brownies cool: It’s tempting to cut into them right away, but give your brownies some time to cool down first. This will make them easier to slice and less likely to fall apart.
9. Check doneness safely: To see if your brownies are ready, stick a toothpick or skewer in the center. Just be careful not to burn yourself while doing this.
10. Don’t overfill the pan: Make sure you’re not overfilling your baking pan, or you could end up with a messy oven.
11. Keep your workspace clean: Cleaning up as you go will help you avoid spills and accidents in the kitchen.
12. Store your brownies properly: After baking, store your brownies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Don’t leave them out too long, as they could spoil.
13. Watch out for allergens: If you’re using ingredients like nuts, remember to note that they could be allergens for some people.
14. Use clean utensils: Ensure no contamination or bacteria when using your utensils and dishes.

-8x8 Square Baking Dish

-Measuring Cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup)

-Measuring Spoons (1 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon)

-Other: Bowls, Small Pot, Stove, Microwave, Oven, Whisk, Spoons

-1 cup Sugar (preferably white sugar)

-1/2 cup Butter (any kind)

-1/3 cup Cocoa Powder

-2 Eggs (any kind)

-1/4 tsp Salt (any kind)

-1/4 tsp Baking Powder (any kind)

-1 tsp Vanilla Extract (any kind)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

Grease your 8x8 inch non-stick pan (butter, oil, or cooking spray all work).

Melt your stick of butter until liquid (see image). Preferably in a pot, however, melting it in a bowl in the microwave works fine as well. Allow the butter to cool down while proceeding to the next steps.

In a separate bowl, beat two eggs with a whisk until the yolk and the whites are fully incorporated with one another.

Measure out a cup of white sugar in the measuring cup, and level it out with a butter knife for a precise measurement.

In the bowl with the cooled-down butter, pour in the cup of white sugar, the beat eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Make sure butter is cooled down so that the eggs do not start to cook!!!

Stir ingredients (sugar, eggs, and vanilla) into the bowl of butter with a spoon until the mixture is smooth.

In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup of flour, 1/3 of cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Make sure to use the butter knife to break up any chunks and level off for proper measurements!!!

In the bowl with the dry ingredients, make a well in the center (see picture above).

In the well, pour in the wet ingredients and whisk until the mixture is smooth, and there are no more dry ingredient chunks. Bubbles are okay!

Pour the brownie mixture into the greased pan carefully and spread evenly with a spoon. Make sure to not leave any excess!

Put the pan with the brownie mixture into the preheated oven and bake. Make sure to use oven mitts!

At the 25-minute mark, carefully take the pan out of the oven with oven mitts, insert a toothpick into the brownies, and check for residue/brownie mix. If there is no residue, the brownies are ready to go. If there is residue, bake for another 5 minutes.

Take your brownies out of the oven carefully using your mitts. Let your brownies cool down, and enjoy!