This brownie cake is one of those recipes I come back to when I'm craving a rich chocolate dessert that's softer and lighter than a traditional fudgy brownie. Growing up, homemade desserts were simply part of life in our family, and those are still the kinds of recipes I enjoy sharing today—simple, dependable, and made to be enjoyed together.
I've made this brownie cake recipe for family get-togethers and casual desserts at home because it's easy to make and always disappears quickly. If you've ever wished brownies had a softer, more cake-like texture, this recipe delivers exactly that.
A couple of other chocolate favorites are these chocolate banana muffins and also these chocolate pumpkin muffins. These two brookie recipes - Brookie Bars with boxed brownie mix and 2 Ingredient Brookie Muffins/Cupcakes are always in the top 5 recipe posts on my site! So easy and so good!
Table of contents
Why I love this Chocolate Brownie Cake Recipe
The best of both worlds. If you love the rich chocolate flavor of brownies but prefer a softer, cake-like texture, this recipe gives you exactly that.
One bowl, fewer dishes. I appreciate recipes that don't leave the kitchen a mess, and this one mixes together quickly with everyday pantry ingredients.
Easy to share. Baked in a 9x13 pan, it's a great dessert for family dinners, potlucks, birthday parties, or anytime you're feeding a group.
Dress it up or keep it simple. A dusting of powdered sugar is delicious, but it's just as good topped with chocolate frosting, fresh berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
A recipe that's easy to count on. Some desserts take a little more planning. This one doesn't. It's simple to make, travels well, and always seems to disappear before the pan is empty.
Ingredients - Chocolate Brownie Cake
- All-purpose flour - I sometimes substitute about ¼ of the recipe calls for with whole wheat flower
- Granulated Sugar (Packed brown sugar can be substituted)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - For the best chocolate flavor!
- Baking soda and baking powder to get the rise that makes these more cake like.
- Melted butter (I use salted - melted but cooled down)
- Milk - I normally use 2% but 1% would work and so would any milk higher in fat.
- Large Eggs
See printable recipe card at the bottom for exact amounts.
How to Make this Brownie Cake Recipe
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 11 x 13 inch pan with nonstick spray. Melt butter and set aside to cool.
Step 2
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder). Make sure to give a good stir so everything is well mixed.
Step 3
On top of dry ingredients, add wet ingredients (melted butter, sugar, milk,eggs). I whisk the liquids together (that I just added) with a small whisk or fork prior to stirring all ingredients together. This can be done by hand or using a hand mixer.
Step 4
Pour batter into the sprayed greased pan.
Step 5
Bake for approximately 25 minutes, checking for doneness (when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean.
How to Serve Brownie Cakes
I cut this into 4 x 6 = 24 pieces in my 9 x 13 pan. This can be served as is, or with a scoop of ice cream. One of the things I like about this chocolate brownie dessert is that is cuts easily and cleanly.
How to Store Brownie Cakes
If eating within a couple of days, I leave my brownie cake on my counter. If planning to keep up to 4 days, put in a sealed container and refrigerate (place parchment between layers).
If freezing, ensure this is well wrapped, and it will last well for at least 3 months. Do make sure the cake brownie is fully cooled and double wrapped.
Susan's Helpful Tip
If you aren't sure whether you want brownies or chocolate cake, this recipe is the happy middle ground. It has the rich chocolate flavor of brownies with a lighter, cake-like texture. I like serving it slightly warm with vanilla ice cream for family dinners, but it's just as good cooled and packed up for potlucks or bake sales.
FAQs
When you use melted butter, it creates a denser cake. Since this is a brownie cake, that's what we want.
Yes! I do sometimes. I sprinkle them on top because sometimes the chocolate chips will sink. When just sprinkled on top, they tend to not go to the bottom.
Absolutely! This brownie cake is delicious with a dusting of powdered sugar, but it also pairs well with chocolate frosting, cream cheese frosting, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you're serving it for a birthday or celebration, frosting turns it into an easy chocolate dessert that's perfect for sharing.
More Chocolate Desserts
Recipe Printable
Chocolate Chip Cake Brownies (one bowl).
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup butter
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat to 350℉. Spray an 11 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a small microwaveable bowl, melt butter (20 second intervals until melted). Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir dry ingredients together until combined
- Add wet ingredients on top of dry, mix dry ingredients first, then incorporate all ingredients.
- Pour batter into 11 x 13 sprayed or greased pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, testing for doneness (when a toothpick poked into center comes out clean).
Notes
Sprinkle optional chocolate chips on top. They will sink a little when baked. Storage If eating within a couple of days, I leave this on my counter. If planning to keep up to 4 days, put in a sealed container and refrigerate (place parchment between layers). If freezing, ensure this is well wrapped and it will last well for at least 3 months (parchment between layers). Do make sure the cake brownie is fully cooled and double wrapped prior to freezing.
Nutrition (estimate)
**First published Aug. 31, 2015
Steph
Sounds delicious!! I've been looking for brownies more like cake, without fudgy interior. Can I bake this in muffin tins? If so, do you know the temp and times?
Susan Moncrieff
I'm sure you can! I have not made them in a muffin tin (yet) so I'm not sure what the baking time and temperature are.
pestep81
These look great and I love it that they are from scratch. Thanks for the recipe. Pinning.
momcrieff
These are good! Perfect for those chocolate cravings we sometimes get : )