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freshly baked one pan brownie cake

One Pan Brownie Cake

This one pan brownie cake is rich, fudgy, and perfectly chocolatey — the kind of dessert you make when you want homemade comfort without the mess. One pan, simple ingredients, and all the chocolate joy you need.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Classic Home Baking
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional toppings:
  • Sea salt flakes powdered sugar, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Method
 

Step 1: Prep the pan and oven
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Use an 8x8-inch oven-safe skillet or baking pan.
Step 2: Melt the butter
  1. Add the butter to the pan and melt it over low heat (or in the microwave if using a glass dish).
Step 3: Mix in sugars and vanilla
  1. Whisk in granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Add the eggs
  1. Crack in the eggs, one at a time, whisking quickly so they blend in without cooking.
Step 5: Combine the dry ingredients
  1. Sift in cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold everything together until just combined — don’t overmix.
Step 6: Add chocolate chips
  1. Fold in chocolate chips for extra gooey goodness.
Step 7: Bake the brownie cake
  1. Spread the batter evenly in the same pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes. It’s ready when the top looks set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 8: Cool and serve
  1. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with ice cream or powdered sugar on top.

Notes

  • For an extra fudgy texture, bake it closer to 20 minutes. For a more cake-like texture, bake it around 25 minutes.
  • Dutch-process cocoa gives a deeper flavor, but any good unsweetened cocoa works.
  • You can double the recipe for a 9x13-inch pan — just bake for 30–35 minutes.
  • Letting the brownie cake cool for a bit helps it set and slice neatly (though stealing a warm corner piece is totally allowed).