Every family has that one dessert that never lasts a full day — in my house, it was Grandma’s brownies. They were rich, fudgy, and somehow always tasted better the next day (if they even lasted that long). So when I stumbled across a recipe for 4-ingredient brownies that promised to taste just like hers, I had to try it.
Spoiler alert: they did not disappoint.
The Magic Is in the Simplicity
There’s something charming about a recipe that doesn’t require 15 ingredients or a stand mixer. These brownies come together in one bowl with four simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen:
-
1 cup Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread
-
2 large eggs
-
½ cup flour (all-purpose or even self-rising works)
-
A pinch of salt (optional, but Grandma always swore by it)
That’s it. No butter, no sugar, no cocoa powder. Just whisk, pour, bake, and prepare to smell chocolate heaven wafting through your kitchen.
How to Make Them
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.
-
Mix everything in a bowl until smooth — don’t overthink it.
-
Pour the batter into the dish and smooth the top.
-
Bake for about 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center looks slightly underdone (that’s how you get that gooey texture).
-
Cool completely before slicing.
If you can resist cutting into them while they’re warm, you have more willpower than I do.
Why They’re So Good
These brownies hit that sweet spot between chewy and fudgy — rich but not overly sweet, soft in the middle, and perfectly crisp around the edges. The Nutella gives them a deep chocolate flavor without the effort of melting chocolate or sifting cocoa powder.
They’re dangerously easy to make and even easier to love. I made them on a random Tuesday night, and my kids thought it was a special occasion.
How to Dress Them Up
If you want to take them up a notch (or make them taste even more like Grandma’s), try:
-
Adding chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
-
Dusting the top with powdered sugar once cooled.
-
Swirling in a little peanut butter before baking.
-
Serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — because why not?
They also freeze beautifully, though I’ll be honest: ours never make it that far.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason simple recipes stand the test of time. These 4-ingredient brownies taste homemade, nostalgic, and a little magical — just like Grandma’s always did.
So the next time you’re craving something sweet but don’t feel like dragging out half your pantry, grab a jar of Nutella and a whisk. In less than half an hour, you’ll have a pan of brownies that feels like home.