Old-Fashioned Hershey’s Brownies Recipe: Classic Homemade from Scratch

There’s something magical about the aroma of brownies baking in the oven, filling your kitchen with the rich scent of chocolate that instantly transports you back to childhood. These old-fashioned Hershey’s brownies represent the pinnacle of American baking tradition, using the iconic cocoa powder that has been a pantry staple for generations. Their perfect balance of fudgy texture and deep chocolate flavor makes them truly special, which can only be achieved with quality ingredients and time-tested techniques.

Unlike modern box mixes filled with preservatives and artificial flavors, this from-scratch recipe delivers authentic chocolate satisfaction using simple, wholesome ingredients. The secret lies in using Hershey’s 100% Cocoa Powder and following traditional mixing methods that create the ideal texture. These brownies are so irresistibly good that they’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for anything less than homemade.

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What makes Hershey’s cocoa brownies so good? 

The magic of these Hershey’s brownies lies in the careful balance of ingredients and the traditional mixing method. Melting the butter and dissolving the sugar together creates a smooth base that produces the signature fudgy texture. Using Hershey’s 100% Cocoa Powder provides that distinctive chocolate flavor that’s been beloved for over a century.

The key technique involves properly tempering the eggs into the warm butter mixture, which prevents scrambling while creating a smooth, glossy batter. Mixing the dry ingredients in batches ensures even distribution without overworking the batter, resulting in tender brownies rather than tough ones.

Why you’ll love Hershey cocoa powder brownies

Who can say no to brownies, especially when they are as easy to make as these? With this Hershey’s cocoa powder brownies recipe, you’ll never need to open a who-knows-how-old box of store-bought brownie mix stuffed full of preservatives ever again!

Both kids and adults love brownies, and with so many great options to customize and decorate them (see the ‘What Mix-Ins Can I Add?’ section below), you can effortlessly make ones that your family will love. 

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour – Provides structure and creates the perfect tender crumb
• Hershey’s 100% Cocoa Powder – This unsweetened cocoa powder delivers the signature rich chocolate flavor and color
• Baking powder – Gives gentle lift for the ideal fudgy yet light texture
• Salt – Enhances chocolate flavor and balances sweetness
• Unsalted butter – Creates richness and contributes to the fudgy texture
• Granulated sugar – Sweetens and helps create the shiny top crust
• Pure vanilla extract – Enhances and rounds out the chocolate flavors
• Large eggs – Binds ingredients and contribute to the moist texture
• Walnut pieces – Optional addition that provides delightful crunch and flavor contrast

Ingredient notes and substitutions for this Hershey’s brownie recipe

You can substitute a different brand of cocoa powder, but don’t replace it with any labeled Dutch-processed cocoa powder, or bad things could happen. Unfortunately, Hershey’s changed its Special Dark Cocoa Powder recipe by adding an alkalizing agent, making it unsuitable for this and other old-fashioned recipes. 

Besides walnut pieces, consider using crushed hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, or macadamias. 

How to make Hershey’s brownies

To prepare the Hershey’s chocolate brownies batter: 

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil. Lightly spritz the foil with non-stick cooking spray or brush it with butter. 
2. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl. Set the dry ingredients aside for later.
3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
4. After the butter melts, add the sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk well until the sugar dissolves, and then remove the saucepan from the heat. 
5. Let the melted butter mixture cool for about five minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and reserve them for later. 

6. Pour the eggs into the cooled melted butter mixture and stir constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking. 
7. In batches, add the dry ingredients to the saucepan. Use a spatula to stir well until there are no more dry patches before adding more dry ingredients. 
8. Stir in any nuts or other add-ins you want to include.

To bake Hershey’s cocoa powder brownies: 

1. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the brownies. 
2. Place the baking pan on a wire rack and cool the brownies in the pan for at least 15 minutes. 
3. Place an upside-down wire rack on top of the pan of brownies and turn everything over. 
4. Carefully remove the foil and flip the brownies onto a cutting board using the same method as above. 
5. Cut the brownies while still warm, and allow them to cool to room temperature before serving or storing. 

What mix-ins can I add?

Are nuts not enough for you? You can add anything else that will go well with this brownie recipe. Here are a few suggestions:

• Milk Chocolate chips: You can always have a little more chocolate. 
• Peanut Butter chips: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups fans will want to try this option. 
• Mini M&MS: Super festive, especially if you match the color of the M&Ms with the colors of the holiday. 
• Mini marshmallows: Marshmallows add a light and creamy element to your brownies or combine with peanut butter chips for a S’mores vibe. 
• Candied orange peel: adds just the right amount of citrus flavor to elevate the chocolate brownies to the next level of culinary sophistication. 

Storage and Serving Instructions

Store completely cooled brownies in an airtight, non-clear container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The container should be opaque to prevent light from affecting the chocolate flavor.

For longer storage, wrap individual brownies and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours before serving. A tiny sprinkle of sea salt on thawed brownies can enhance the chocolate flavor.

Old-Fashioned Hershey’s Brownies – Classic Homemade Recipe

Rich, fudgy Hershey's brownies made from scratch with cocoa powder! Classic old-fashioned recipe that's better than any box mix. Easy and delicious.

4.80 from 30 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Brownie Recipes, chocolate brownies, hersheys brownies

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 174kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup Hershey’s cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup walnuts broken into pieces (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and butter the foil.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
• Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over moderate heat. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir to combine. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Crack the eggs into a small bowl and then add the eggs to the saucepan, stirring rapidly to avoid cooking them.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients and walnuts to the saucepan and stir.
• Spread the mixture smoothly in the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center just barely comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
• Cover the pan with a cooling rack and flip the pan over. Remove the pan and foil lining from the brownies. Then cover the brownies with a cutting board and flip them back over. Remove the cooling rack from the top of the brownies.
• Let stand until cool and cut into 16 squares.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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Be sure to check out more of my easy brownie recipes and the best copycat recipes for store-bought products and restaurant food.

These Hershey’s Brownies are a recipe from Maida Heatter’s Book of Great American Desserts. She is known for delicious desserts.