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How To Make Brownies Without Cocoa Powder

How To Make Brownies Without Cocoa Powder: Explained

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Lori Walker

If you had planned on baking a batch of brownies but come to find that you don’t have any cocoa powder in your pantry, there is no need to worry. There is still a way to make your beloved and scrumptious chocolate treats without it.

Our team researched how to make brownies without cocoa powder and compiled everything into an easy-to-follow 7-step process. 

7 Easy Steps To Make Brownies Without Cocoa Powder (Fail-Proof)

fudgy brownies with no cocoa powder

1. Gather The Ingredients

Gather the ingredients necessary ingredients and prepare the baking pan by greasing it with cooking spray and lining parchment paper on it. 

Leave a part of the parchment paper hanging on the sides for easy removal later [1].

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 
  • 1 ½ cup cocoa powder substitute 
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2. Preheat The Oven

Preheat the oven to 350℉. While waiting, you can start to prepare the brownie batter.

3. Prepare Wet & Dry Ingredients

Put all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, including baking soda, flour, baking powder,  and salt. Set it aside, and don’t combine it with the wet ingredients yet.    

But can boxed brownies be baked without eggs?

4. Melt Butter & Cocoa Powder Substitute

Melt the butter and the cocoa powder substitute in a separate bowl.  

You can use either semi-sweet chocolate chips or 70% bittersweet chocolate bars as an alternative to cocoa powder. Once melted, mix it with sugar.

5. Combine the Ingredients

Put the mixer on medium speed. Add the butter, chocolate, and sugar mixture and mix it for five minutes. Add eggs and vanilla extract, then mix again. 

“If you can, taste your chocolate before baking with it. For example, not all 70% chocolates have the same flavor profiles. Some have fruitier tones, while some are more vanilla-caramel forward.”

– Jen Yee, Executive Pastry Chef of Atlanta-based Hopkins and Company

Add the dry ingredients and mix for another ten seconds. (NOTE: Do not overmix.)

Check out these steps to make an edible brownie batter here.

6. Bake It For 35 Minutes

Pour the mixture into the pan lined with parchment paper and bake the concoction for at least 25 minutes. 

Also Read: Can You Use A Microwave To Make Betty Crocker Brownies?

7. Let It Cool Before Cutting

Once ready, carefully remove the brownies from the pan, and once it’s cool, you can start to cut them into squares. 

You can serve your brownies by topping them with either a scoop of ice cream, a sprinkle of nuts, or whipped cream.

But how do you cut brownies without destroying them?

Cocoa Powder Alternatives  

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

You can replace the cocoa powder with semi-sweet baking chocolate chips for a fudgier and chewier brownie. Using this will give you a more chocolatey flavor. 

Use ½ cup of chocolate chips instead of 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder.

70% Bittersweet Chocolate Bars

You can also use ½ cup of 70% bittersweet chocolate bars (shredded or cut into tiny pieces) instead of 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder. This is also considered a healthier option [2]. 

Tips & Tricks When Making Brownies Without Cocoa Powder

close up shot of brownies
  • Use semi-sweet chocolate chips or bittersweet chocolate bars to make your brownies fudgier.  
  • Do not overmix the concoction, and follow the recipe to the dot to avoid burnt or underbaked brownies.
  • For better consistency when using alternatives, grind/chop it into smaller pieces and melt it in a microwave before mixing it with the other ingredients. 
  • Choose high-quality chocolate as an alternative to your cocoa powder. The taste of your final outcome will also depend on the kind of ingredients you use.

Check out these steps to fix a brownie mix that has too much water here.

Fudgy Brownies Without Cocoa Powder Recipe 

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 
  • 1 ½ cup cocoa powder substitute 
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions: 

First, gather the necessary ingredients (as mentioned above), then preheat the oven to 350℉. 

Prepare the wet and dry ingredients, then melt the butter and the cocoa powder substitute in a separate bowl. Combine all the ingredients and put the mixer on medium speed. 

Pour the mixture into the pan. Bake it for at least 25 minutes. Once ready, cool the brownies to room temperature before cutting them, and serve it with your favorite toppings.

Serving: 9-10 brownies

Related Post: Is It Normal For Brownie Mix To Be Thick?

FAQs

What happens if you don’t add cocoa powder to brownies? 

Using alternatives such as semi-sweet chocolate chips or bittersweet chocolate bars instead of cocoa powder will make the brownie fudgier and chewier. 

Brownies with cocoa powder are cakier because fat and sugar are removed from cocoa nibs when processing cocoa. This is why bakers add more butter and sugar to make them fudgier.

How does cocoa powder affect brownies? 

Using cocoa powder alone makes the brownies drier and cakier, and if you want a fudgy brownie, then it’s best to use cocoa alternatives.

Final Thoughts

Missing cocoa powder in the kitchen will no longer be a problem, as you can use other substitutes to create a one-of-a-kind brownie recipe. 

You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips or 70% bittersweet chocolate bars as a cocoa substitute.

Also, remember to cool the brownies first before cutting them.

You can top your brownie with ice cream, chocolate chips, peanuts, or whipped cream for an added twist. 

References:

  1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2019/04/05/8-obvious-and-less-obvious-ways-to-use-that-roll-of-parchment-paper
  2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270272
Lori Walker

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