4-Ingredient Hot Chocolate Brownies

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake Them

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), grease an 8x8-inch baking pan (or line it with parchment paper for easy removal), and get ready for the easiest baking session ever.

1. Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and the two eggs until the mixture is smooth and slightly pale.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

Add the hot chocolate mix and the all-purpose flour to the bowl. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the ingredients together just until the flour and cocoa powder disappear. Be careful not to overmix, as overworking the batter can make the brownies tough instead of fudgy.

3. Spread and Bake

Pour the thick, glossy batter into your prepared 8x8-inch pan, smoothing the top with your spatula. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes. You want the edges to be set and the top to look beautifully shiny and crinkled, while the center remains slightly soft.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                          THE PERFECT BAKE TIME                           |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|             20 MINUTES             |             22 MINUTES              |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|   Ultra-fudgy, gooey center        |   Classic chewy brownie texture     |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

Elevated Ways to Serve Your Hot Chocolate Brownies

While these brownies are absolutely spectacular straight out of the pan, you can emphasize the "hot cocoa" theme with a few fun toppings before or after baking:

• The Marshmallow Blanket: Two minutes before the brownies are done baking, scatter a cup of mini marshmallows over the top and return the pan to the oven under the broiler for 1 minute until the marshmallows are toasted and golden brown.

• A Dusting of Snow: Once the brownies have cooled completely, dust the top with a tablespoon of powdered sugar or a little extra hot cocoa mix through a fine-mesh sieve.

• The Fancy Mug Treatment: Serve a warm square of brownie in a shallow bowl or mug, topped with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of warm chocolate fudge sauce.

Whether you are baking with kids on a rainy afternoon or satisfying a late-night chocolate craving, this four-ingredient wonder proves that you don't need a complicated recipe to create an unforgettable dessert