How to Make Brownies in the Microwave

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Brownies are a tasty chocolate treat. However, they can take a while to make when they are cooked in an oven. Making brownies by microwave is a lot less time consuming, but it still leaves a dazzling taste.

Ingredients

Standard Brownies^{[1]
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1 cup (225 grams) sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
½ cup (115 grams) butter, melted
¾ cup (75 grams) all-purpose flour
½ cup (50 grams) baking cocoa (powder)
1 cup (125 grams) chopped walnuts (optional)
½ cup (90 grams) chocolate chunks or chips

Serves 9 to 12

Single-Serve Brownies^{[2]
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¼ cup (25 grams) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (55 grams) granulated or brown sugar
2 tablespoons (30 grams) cocoa powder
2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk or water
2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Serves 1

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Standard Brownies

1
Combine the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt in a bowl. Smaller servings of microwave brownies can be made directly in a mug, but because you are working with such a large amount, you'll need to mix it in a separate bowl first.
- If you are vegan, mix 2 tablespoons (14 grams) of flaxseed meal with 5 tablespoons (74 milliliters) of water in a small dish. Wait 5 minutes for it to thicken, then add to the recipe.^{[3]
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- If you are using the vegan option, consider adding ½ to 1 teaspoon (2.5 to 5 grams) of baking soda as well. This will help make the brownies more tender.^{[4]
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2
Add the melted butter to the bowl and mix until blended. Melt ½ cup (115 grams) of butter before adding it to the bowl. The melted butter will help the ingredients mix together better, giving you a denser brownie in the end.^{[5]
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3
Mix the flour and cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Use a fork to break up any lumps, clumps, or chunks. Mixing these two ingredients separately will help them mix into the rest a little more evenly.
4
Sift the flour mixture into the sugar, butter, and egg mixture, and stir until evenly mixed. There should be no lumps, clumps, or chunks when you are done. Be careful not to over-mix, however, or your brownies will end up too tough and chewy.
- Consider adding 1 cup (125 grams) of chopped walnuts for a meatier texture.^{[6]
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  Research source} If you don't like walnuts, you can try another type of nuts, such as pecans or pistachios.
5
Pour the batter into a lightly greased glass baking dish. The ideal size to work with is 8 by 8 by 2 inches (20.32 by 20.32 by 5.08 centimeters). For extra texture, scatter ½ cup (90 grams) of chocolate chips or chunks on top of the batter after you have poured it.^{[7]
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6
Microwave the brownies, uncovered, on high until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. After every minute, you will want to pause the microwave and rotate the baking dish. Keep cooking until there is a 1¼ inch (3.18 centimeters) wide moist spot in the center.
- Cooking times will vary depending on the strength of your microwave. A 1,100-watt microwave will cook brownies in about 3 to 4 minutes.^{[8]
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7
Take the brownies out of the microwave and set them down on the counter so that they can cool. Don't worry if the top looks moist. The brownies will continue to cook on the inside even after you take them out.^{[9]
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8
Cut the brownies into squares or rectangles and serve them. You can serve them as they are, or with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or hot fudge. If you love coffee, you might like your brownie with a scoop of coffee ice cream.
9
Finished.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Single-Serve Brownies

1
Place the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt into a mug. For a twist, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or a granule of instant coffee.^{[10]
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2
Stir the ingredients with a fork until everything is mixed together. Make sure that there are no lumps or clumps. If there are any, use your fork to break them up.
3
Add the milk, oil, and vanilla extract. If you'd like a vegan option, use water instead. You can also try using another type of milk, such as soy. If you are not a fan of vanilla and would like something more bitter, try coffee extract instead.^{[11]
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4
Stir until the mixture again until everything is smooth. Be careful not to over-mix, however. If you over-mix, your brownie will turn out too rubbery.^{[12]
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5
Place the mug into a microwave, and heat on high until cooked, about 1 minute and 40 seconds. How long you cook your brownie will depend on how strong your microwave is. A 1000 watt microwave will cook a brownie in abut 1 minute and 40 seconds.^{[13]
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Research source} When cooked, there will be no liquid left. The brownie will still look a little moist, however. You do not need to cover the mug when cooking it.
- If you don't know how strong your microwave is, start at 1 minute, then cook at 30-second intervals until fully cooked.
6
Let the brownie cool for 1 minute. Take it out of the microwave using an oven mitt, and set it down on a stable surface until it cools down enough to eat. As it cools, it will also finish cooking inside.
7
Serve the brownie. You can eat it as is, straight out of the mug, or you can add some goodies, such as a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of hot fudge. If you are a fan of coffee, you might like a scoop of coffee ice cream on yours.

Community Q&A

Question

Can any type of microwave cook a brownie?

Community Answer

Yes, any type of microwave can cook a brownie. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the strength of your microwave.
Question

Can we make it without vanilla extract?

Qamar

Top Answerer

Yes, you can. Vanilla extract only adds flavor.
Question

Can I substitute normal sugar for the brown sugar?

Community Answer

Yes, but the texture will be different and you won't get the golden-brown color.