The Best Cake-Like Brownies: Light, Chocolatey & Completely Classic

There are two kinds of brownie people: those who want their brownies rich and fudgy, and those who want them light, tender, and a little more cake-like.

I happen to love both—but when I’m craving a classic brownie that’s soft in the middle, slightly cakey, and full of chocolate flavor, this is the recipe I reach for.

These cake-like brownies have a delicate crumb, a lightly crisp top, and just enough chocolate to make them feel indulgent without being overly dense. They’re the kind of brownies that are perfect with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or simply eaten straight from the pan.

And, honestly, sometimes simple is exactly what you need.

Why You’ll Love These Brownies

Here's what makes them different:

• Light and tender instead of dense and fudgy

• Rich chocolate flavor without being overly heavy

• Slightly crisp edges with a soft, cake-like center

• Easy enough for a weeknight baking project

• Made with ingredients you probably already have

• Delicious on their own or topped with ice cream

  
  

If you're looking for a brownie that's somewhere between a traditional brownie and a piece of chocolate cake, this is it.

Cake-Like Brownie Ingredients

You'll Need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¼ cup milk

• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Optional Add-Ins

You can absolutely keep these brownies simple, but if you want to change things up, try:

• Chopped walnuts or pecans

• White chocolate chips

• Milk chocolate chips

• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt

• Chocolate frosting

  
  

How to Make Cake-Like Brownies

1. Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This makes removing the brownies incredibly easy.

Lightly grease the parchment paper.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Set aside.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar.

Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla extract and milk.

4. Bring It Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Stir just until combined.

Don't overmix the batter. Once you no longer see streaks of flour, stop mixing.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

The batter will be thick, but it should spread easily into the prepared pan.

5. Bake

Spread the batter evenly into the pan.

Bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

You don't want the toothpick completely clean. That's a good way to end up with dry brownies.

6. Let Them Cool

This is the hardest part.

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.

For the cleanest slices, let them cool completely.

Then lift the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper and cut into squares.

The Secret to Cake-Like Brownies

How Do I Know When Brownies Are Done?

This is one of the easiest places to go wrong.

Start checking your brownies around the 25-minute mark.

Insert a toothpick into the center. You want to see a few moist crumbs, but you don't want wet batter.

If the toothpick comes out completely clean, they've likely gone a little too far.

Remember: brownies continue to set as they cool.

Prep Time: 10 minutesBake Time: 25–30 minutesTotal Time: About 40 minutesYield: 16 brownies

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¼ cup milk

• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.

2. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar.

4. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and milk.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.

6. Fold in chocolate chips.

7. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.

8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, checking at 25 minutes.

9. Remove when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

10. Cool for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!