How To Make Microwave Brownies: Easy For Kids To Mix

Sneak Preview: Learn how to make Microwave Brownies that taste and smell fantastic. You can eat warm brownies with your kids, grandkids, or yourself in 10-15 minutes without a brownie mix.

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Create fun memories with your kids or grandkids as you help them make and eat this Microwave Chocolate Brownie recipe. All my elementary-age grandchildren make them and enjoy licking every last beater, bowl, and batter-covered spatula.

In less time than running to the store and buying a mix, you can fill your kitchen with the chocolatey aroma of scratch chocolate brownies.

If your kids aren’t into nuts, leave them out.

Happy Bakers Speak Up

These are super easy to make and I ended up halfing the recipe. It worked really well because It’s a smaller serving. And if you cook it for 2 minutes they were perfect. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing and easy recipe with everyone.” —BRENNA

How To Make Microwave Brownies Super-Fast (Without a Mix)!

  • Mix batter and microwave in under 15 minutes.
  • Not gourmet, but satisfies sugar and chocolate cravings.
  • Moderately rich—won’t overwhelm you.

Why This Is a Good Recipe for Kids and Emergencies

  • Quick, fudgy brownies from pantry staples
  • No need to keep calorie-dense cookies on hand
  • Kid-friendly: mix by hand or with a portable mixer, no oven required
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The original recipe came with directions to “cut when cold.” Good luck with that one. Be careful not to burn your fingers because you’ll want to dig into this treat immediately to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Serve with vanilla ice cream, creme fraiche ice cream, or coffee ice cream.


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Ingredients and Substitutions

  • EGGS:
    • I use large eggs (50 grams average)
  • SUGAR:
    • Granulated sugar recommended; brown sugar can be substituted
  • SALT:
    • Any type—table, sea, or Kosher
  • VANILLA EXTRACT:
    • Regular, imitation, or Mexican vanilla for a subtle cinnamon flavor
  • BUTTER:
    • Unsalted preferred; reduce salt if using salted butter.
  • FLOUR:
    • All-purpose flour, either bleached or unbleached
  • UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER:
  • INSTANT ESPRESSO:
    • Optional; enhances chocolate flavor

How To Make Microwave Brownies

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1. Add eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla to a medium mixing bowl.
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2. Beat until light–about 1 minute. I use a portable mixer, but a whisk will work, too.
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3. Add melted butter. Continue beating this mixture until thoroughly blended.
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4. Add the dry ingredients–flour and cocoa.
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5. Mix on low speed or stir together by hand.
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6. Spread the batter into a prepared microwave-safe dish. Make the batter thicker in the corners than in the middle.
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7. Optional: Sprinkle top with chopped nuts and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
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8. Microwave on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 6 minutes. Every microwave is different. Cook until the middle puffs up. Test with a toothpick. It should come out clean with a few crumbs sticking to it.

📌KITCHEN TIPS📌

  1. A 9-inch dish can make the dough too thin in the corners; use a spatula to spread more dough to the edges.
  2. Adding chips and nuts is optional. Get creative with different nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts) and chips (e.g., peanut butter, butterscotch, chocolate bars).
  3. Microwave ovens vary in wattage; newer models cook faster, while smaller, low-wattage ovens need more time.
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    For your first batch of brownies, watch closely and note the cooking time. If the ingredients are at the same temperature, future batches should be accurate.

Parting Thoughts: The next time you have chocolate cravings, make these brownies with or for your loved ones. Enjoy eating them now, and remember the fun in years to come.


Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!

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Yield: 9 servings

Microwave Brownie Recipe

You no longer need to keep tempting cookies in the pantry for unexpected company. These Microwave Brownies are easy enough for kids to mix up and bake.
5 from 6 votes
PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

Video

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 2 large (100 g) eggs
  • ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (110 g) melted unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (64 g) cocoa powder (not Dutched)
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso optional

Topping (Optional)

  • ¼ cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup chopped nuts toasted nuts (peanuts, pecans, walnuts, etc.)
  • pinch cinnamon

Instructions

  • Blend 2 large (100 g) eggs, 3/4 cup (150 g) sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract with a mixer (hand mixer works fine) for about 1 minute until light.
  • Add 1/2 cup (110 g) melted unsalted butter and keep beating.
  • Mix in 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup (64 g) cocoa powder (not Dutched) and 1 teaspoon instant espresso (if using) at low speed just until the flour disappears.
  • OPTIONAL: Combine 1/4 cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips, 1/4 cup chopped nuts and a pinch cinnamon for topping in a small bowl. Either stir the topping into the batter now or sprinkle on top after the batter is put into the baking dish. I like to sprinkle it on top. Looks fancy.
  • Spread into 8″ square, round, or oval glass oven-safe dish. Arrange the batter with the spatula to be somewhat thicker around the edges and corners than in the middle. This helps to even out the baking.
  • Microwave on HIGH for 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully the first time because every microwave is a bit different. When done, the top looks dry and springs back when lightly touched. If your brownies become tough and chewy as they cool, they overcooked. Food cooked in a microwave continues to cook for a minute or two after removing it from the oven.

Notes

Storage:  Double-wrap and freeze for up to six weeks.
Make-ahead: I don’t. They are so quick to make I would rather serve them warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 235mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 372IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg

All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com

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4.50 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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13 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    For microwave brownie these are stellar. Great recipe!

    1. So happy you enjoyed these quick brownies. And thank you for taking the time to say so.

  2. 4 stars
    I just made it, and it’s cooking in my microwave right now, the thing is i thought it would be more batter and more sweeter taste, but it should be fine, and hope it is to my satisfaction!

    1. Hi Deanna,

      How did your brownies turn out? Of course, this is not a gourmet recipe—but we have always enjoyed this brownie recipe when we need a sweet treat in a hurry or when the kids or grandkids want to bake.

  3. This are super easy to make and I ended up halfing the recipe. It worked really well because It’s a smaller serving. And if you cook it for 2 minutes they were perfect. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing and easy recipe with everyone.

    1. Thanks for coming back to say so. Glad to hear your suggestion for dividing the recipe in half. Hav never tried it.

  4. Ah yes, I can definitely relate to your skinny secret. My version of microwave brownies is freezing leftover desserts and just knowing that I can have a steaming cookie or brownie in literally seconds is enough to sometimes keep them in the freezer long past when they should have been eaten! 🙂

    1. Hi Erika,
      Yes, freezing is a good idea. At least it gets them off the countertop so you can’t see or hear them calling your name. 🙂

  5. Ok, so I’m out of cocoa, but will get some soon as I really want try these. Oh and I don’t have a glass dish that size. I’ll take care of that, too. 😉

  6. See, once I have some cookies in the pantry I don’t necessarily eat them but knowing they are there keeps me from buying cookies or pastries. For the same reason, I keep cake mix boxes in my pantry as well. Though I haven’t used one in 8 months or so, knowing they are there keeps me from buying a cake.

  7. Fresh Local and Best says:

    I never thought that something so tasty and beautiful could come from the microwave. Thanks for opening my mind to such a new concept!

  8. Great recipe for my college daughter, since a microwave is the only cooking appliance allowed in the dorms.
    Mimi

  9. I’m going to have to try these!