These Chocolate Walnut Brownies with Cocoa Powder are done in 35 minutes with super simple prep and sure to satisfy all your chocolate cravings. Sweet & salty, crunchy & chewy, with a fudgy center - no wonder everyone loves these Walnut Brownies!
When I say this walnut brownie recipe is a good one - trust me, I've made it since I was 10. I made this recipe so often when I lived with my parents that we had the yellowed and faded recipe pasted to the inside of one of our cupboards.
Needless to say - this recipe for Walnut Brownies has been tested. Over and over. And over. It has been made in countless different ovens, with different types of nuts and multiple brands of cocoa powder. It just works.
Just keep an eye on it in the oven the first time - cooking time does differ a bit from oven to oven but 25-27 minutes seems to be the general sweet spot.
Jump to:
Why you will love this recipe
- It's easy to make with a few simple steps
- It's quick and all done in under 35 minutes
- It's been tested over and over again - and it's always a winner!
- Amazing texture - chewy & crispy, with a nice fudgy center
- Sweet & salty in perfect amounts
- Loaded with chocolate flavor for an indulgent treat
What you need to make them
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Butter - I recommend using unsalted butter so you can manage the saltiness level exactly. If you use salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt to 1 teaspoon.
- Vanilla sugar can be swapped for vanilla extract in the same amount. Add it with the butter.
- Eggs: I use 3 pretty large eggs - if they are very small you can add a fourth
- Flour: I use all purpose flour
- Salt: These brownies have a distinct salty touch, which balances the sweetness well. If you prefer them less salty, just reduce the amount of salt and/or use unsalted butter. I recommend adding at least 1 teaspon of salt if using unsalted butter, and ¾ teaspoon of salt if using salted butter, to avoid the sweetness taking over too much.
- Walnuts can be swapped for a different type of nut - macadamias, pecans hazelnuts and almonds all work great. You can also make them entirely without nuts.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Unsweetened is key for the right flavor
How to make them
- Sift all dry ingredients except sugar and breadcrumbs into a bowl
- Mix
- In another, large, bowl, add eggs and sugar
- Mix until well combined, then pour in melted butter
- Stir until combined
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined
- Add chopped walnuts and mix gently again
- Now the batter is all done
- Bring out a pan that's roughly 8 x 11 inches (20 x 30 cm). Grease with butter, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Pour in the batter and spread out evenly, then bake in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes at 375°F (190 C)
- Test for doneness by inserting a cake tester or tooth pick in the middle of the cake - it's done when it comes out with just a tiny bit of batter stuck to it. When done, bring out and set aside to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
Tips & tricks
- Don't over mix the batter or the brownie might sink in the middle
- Cook time will vary depending on your oven, but will be around 20-30 minutes. Start checking at 20 minutes, then check every few minutes until done. Make a note and the next time you know just how much time it needs!
- Don't have time for the brownies to cool down? Skip it - worst thing that happens is that your cut brownies loose their shape.
- The saltiness make these brownies perfect to serve with ice cream
- Store in room temperature, covered in plastic, for up to 4 days
- Freeze walnut brownies and they will be good for at least 1 month
- Need something even more indulgent? Serve your brownies with Strawberry Whipped Cream or Peppermint Whipped Cream.
Recipe FAQ
Fudgy brownies have more fat than a cakey brownie. These walnut brownies balance just between cakey and fudgy, with a distinct fudgy center.
This is up to you, but I don't toast mine. Toasting them will however bring out the nutty flavor more. Just be careful so you don't burn them!
This is a common problem when making brownies, and it's most often because you've mixed in too much air when mixing together the eggs and sugar.
For many types of cakes you want to mix eggs and sugar fluffy, but for denser cakes like brownies this will instead cause them to sink.
Just mix the eggs and sugar until well combined, and no more.
No, you don't need to refrigerate them. Cooked brownies will last for at least 4 days when stored in room temperature, if they are well covered in plastic.
More quick & easy chocolate desserts
Looking for more quick & easy desserts?
- Oreo Dessert Dirt
- Cocoa Powder Cookies
- Christmas Hot Chocolate
- Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
- No Bake Cookies without Peanut Butter
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Chocolate Walnut Brownies with Cocoa Powder
Print Pin RateIngredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoon fine table salt or less, according to taste
- 3 eggs use 4 eggs if they are very small
- 1⅓ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup walnuts or other nuts, roughly chopped
To grease your baking pan
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon fine bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190 C).
- In small bowl, sift in flour, cocoa powder, vanilla sugar (if using vanilla extract: add it with the butter instead), baking powder, and salt. Set aside for now.½ cup all-purpose flour, 5 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, 1½ teaspoon fine table salt
- In another, large, bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Mix well, but don't overdo it. You don't want too much air in your batter. Some bubbles on the top of the batter is OK, just not too much.3 eggs, 1⅓ cup sugar
- Add the melted butter to your batter and mix until combined.⅓ cup unsalted butter
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined, but not more than that.
- Add the nuts and mix gently.½ cup walnuts
- Grease a 8x11'' (20 x 30 cm) pan with the 1 tablespoon of butter. Then pour in the breadcrumbs and hold the pan over the sink while you tilt it to ensure the bread crumbs cover all sides. Shake out the remaining bread crumbs.1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoon fine bread crumbs
- Bake in the middle of the oven for about 25 minutes. Test for doneness using a cake tester or a toothpick - it's done when the toothpick comes out with just a little bit of batter on it.
- Let the brownies cool down for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- 8 x 11'' (20 x 30 cm) pan
- 2 mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
Video
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Butter - I recommend using unsalted butter so you can manage the saltiness level exactly. If you use salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt to 1 teaspoon.
- Salt: These brownies have a distinct salty touch, which balances the sweetness well. If you prefer them less salty, just reduce the amount of salt and/or use unsalted butter. I recommend adding at least 1 teaspon of salt if using unsalted butter, and ¾ teaspoon of salt if using salted butter, to avoid the sweetness taking over too much.
Tips & tricks
- Don't over mix the batter or the brownie might sink in the middle
- Cook time will vary depending on your oven, but will be around 20-30 minutes. Start checking at 20 minutes, then check every few minutes until done. Make a note and the next time you know just how much time it needs!
- Store in room temperature, covered in plastic, for up to 4 days
- Freeze walnut brownies and they will be good for at least 1 month
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Sophia Damasceno
Ohhhhh my goodness these look amazing! Your photos make me feel like I can even smell them through the screen. Nice job! I can't wait to try to make these.
Emmeline
Haha thank you so much Sophia!
Geraline Batarra
Oh my.. This recipe is so great. I love the consistency of this brownies. It's so delicious and addictive.
Emmeline
Thank you so much Geraline!
GAICA
I love finding a new recipe to try. I’m always so scared I am going to mess it up somehow. This looks easy enough for me though. Thanks!
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting!
Rebecca Sanchez
Wow, so delicious and easy recipe to make for the kids. I am sure my kids will love it like and will make their favorite.
Emmeline
Thank you so much Rebecca!
Alexandra Cook
OMG Can I just say, I can’t help but drool over the picture! Who would not love to taste this! I’ll be printing out your recipe so I can try making this out over the weekends.
Emmeline
Sooo happy you like them! Thanks for commenting!
Maartje van Sandwijk
I love brownies and these would be so easy to make vegan! <3 Definitely trying this out...
Emmeline
Oh such a great idea! Thanks for commenting!
Gervin Khan
Oh my goodness, your brownies recipe looks really delicious and its drooling me to go to the kitchen and do this brownies for my kids. So yummy!
Emmeline
Thank you so much Gervin!
Jasmine M
These brownies look absolutely delicious. I am going to have to try the recipe soon!
Emmeline
Thank you so much Jasmine!
Jo
The best brownie according to me is the one that has walnut. Love how simple and easy these brownies are to make. And they look absolutely perfect
Emmeline
Same here! Walnuts and lots of salt! Thanks for commenting!
Lisa Rios
In my humble opinion brownies are always better with nuts! Walnuts are delish, but I really love pecans!
Emmeline
Same here Lisa! Oh pecans I’ll have tot du in this one!! Thanks for commenting!
Nicole Anderson | Camping for Women
These just look superb...something that both my partner and I would love. I love how you have laid out the whole process so well, including photos all the way through and a video also. This makes it so straight forward for a terrible cook like me and I feel that I should be able to make this with what you have published here. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
Emmeline
Thank you so much for commenting Nicole’ happy you like the process shots & video!
Lydia Smith
It looks delicious and I just love the fact that is easy to make.
Emmeline
Thank you so much Lydia!
Michael
Totally my taste. Thanks for sharing. I will try to make one soon haha!
Emmeline
Thank you so much Michael!
Jenni LeBaron
I love childhood recipes that have stood the test of time. We had a few of those taped to the inside of our cupboards also! These brownies look perfectly scrumptious and I love the bit of salt to bring out the flavor of the chocolate.
Emmeline
Same here! Thank you so much for commenting Jenni!
SincerelySnide
The Brownies look delicious, I would love to make this for my family since they're obsessed with brownies. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Emmeline
Thank you so much!
Sonal
Omg! I was literally drooling looking at the pictures. I am saving his recipe to try with my kids.
Emmeline
Thank you so much for your comment Sonal! I think you'll love them 😀
Bee
These are the best brownies ever. I have made them a dozen times. Every time these brownies get rave reviews from my family.
Emmeline
Thank you soo much for your comment! Happy you like them! 😀
Mahy Elamin
These are so easy, and all ingredients are in most pantries. They are the best brownies I've ever had!
Emmeline
Thank you so much Mahy! So glad you liked them!
Sofia
Once I have tasted this cake in Italy and I just loved it! Your video is amazing!
Emmeline
Thank you so much Sofia!
Ironside
I love brownies ❤️ I will surely try this recipe!! Thanks for sharing
Emmeline
Thank you so much for commenting!
Catherine Santiago Jose
I love this recipe, it is so easy and definitely a delicious afternoon snacks to make for the whole family.
Emmeline
Thank you so much Catherine!
Clare Minall
This looks delightful and tastym i have never tried making browinies. And if ever this is my first time to try. Hope it will goes well.
Emmeline
Then I definitely think this is the one to try Clare! Thank you so much for commenting!
Alexandra Cook
I love brownies and I found this recipe so easy to prepare. My kids would probably dig this.
Emmeline
Thank you so much Alexandra!
Christa
I love brownies so much. They’re the perfect treat. I can’t wait to try this recipe, with hazelnuts to feel fancy. Lol.
Emmeline
Thank you so much for commenting Christa!
brie
Oh man these brownies look so good. it makes me want some so bad rn. haha great recipe.
Emmeline
Haha that's what I was going for! 😉 Thank you so much for commenting, Brie!
brie
You are so welcome. I bought some brownie ingredients at the store recently so yay!!
Emmeline
Yey!
Shelby
I love brownies! They are one of my favorite desserts! They are so easy and you can switch them up in so many different ways!
Emmeline
Thank you so much for commenting, Shelby!
Natalie
Wow these look so delicious! I’m always looking for different baking recipes and these look so delicious!!! Making them today!
Emmeline
Thank you so much, Natalie!
Czjai Reyes-Ocampo
Brownies the way I like 'em! Yum! 🙂
Emmeline
Thank you so much for commenting!
Stephanie Stebbins
YUM! I can't wait to try these!
Emmeline
Thank you so much commenting Stephanie!
Adriana
Oh my goodness. these look so delicious. I have to try and make these.
Emmeline
Hope you do, Adriana! Thank you for commenting!