Hot Cocoa Brownies

Recipe View Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9x11-inch baking pan. This ensures the brownies release easily and have a clean edge. (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the hot cocoa mix and cubed butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the butter is almost completely melted. Be careful not to overheat. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Stir the mixture until smooth and fully combined. The residual heat will melt any remaining butter. (1 minute)

Recipe View Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the melted chocolate mixture. Whisk vigorously until the batter is light and creamy. This step is crucial for achieving a chewy texture. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Pour in the milk and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. (1 minute)

Recipe View Gently fold in the flour until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough brownies. A few streaks of flour are okay. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. (1 minute)

Recipe View Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Start checking at 25 minutes to prevent overbaking. The brownies should be set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. (25-30 minutes)

Recipe View Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars. This allows them to set properly and prevents them from being too gooey. (60 minutes)