Common Ingredients in brownies Recipes

We researched the most common ingredients in over twenty popular brownies recipes and found the top 15 ingredients.

The most common ingredient in brownies dishes is eggs.

Vanilla, flour, white sugar, butter, cocoa powder and baking powder are also common ingredients in brownies recipes. For herbs and spices, vanilla extract is popular. Variations include:

  • heavy whipping cream in place of butter
Salt is in 85% of brownies recipes.

The average brownies recipe has about 9.9 ingredients, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 17.

In terms of directions, brownies recipes have about 5.3 steps on average, ranging from 1 to 18 instructions.

Ratios of Common Ingredients in Brownies

For 2 eggs (112 g), the median and average amounts of other significant ingredients are below. Some ingredients are potential substitutes for others, meaning they almost never exist together in a single brownies recipe, and are marked below.

Ingredient Median Average % of recipes with eggs Potential subsitutions
salt 0.28 teaspoon
(2 g)
0.36 teaspoon
(2 g)
93%
flour 0.67 cup
(83 g)
0.71 cup
(89 g)
90%
white sugar 1 cup
(200 g)
1 cup
(200 g)
83%
vanilla extract 1.1 teaspoon
(5 g)
1.4 teaspoon
(6 g)
62%
cocoa powder 0.37 cup
(32 g)
0.4 cup
(34 g)
55%
butter 0.37 cup
(85 g)
0.41 cup
(93 g)
45%
  • heavy whipping cream
baking powder 0.27 teaspoon
(1 g)
0.49 teaspoon
(2 g)
45%
semisweet chocolate 1.1 cup
(204 g)
1 cup
(185 g)
28%

Ingredients by Average Weight in Brownies

We also found the average content of the significant ingredients by weight in brownies recipes. This would be: 28% white sugar, 22% eggs, 12% flour, 10% butter, 10% semisweet chocolate, 6% confectioners sugar, 4% cocoa powder, 4% bittersweet chocolate, 2% walnuts and 1% oil.

Here are the top ingredients, listed in order of popularity.

eggs

Image of eggs

Eggs is the most popular ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 90% of brownies recipes contain eggs.

Eggs is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of 2 eggs, 2 larges or 4 larges.

In brownies recipes that contain eggs, it is on average, 16% by weight.

For brownies recipes, eggs is frequently used with salt, flour, white sugar, vanilla extract and cocoa powder.

vanilla

Another popular ingredient in brownies is vanilla. From the recipes we've sampled for brownies, over 85% have vanilla.

Variations of vanilla include:
In recipes for brownies, vanilla is often used with white sugar, eggs, salt, flour and cocoa powder. On the other hand, vanilla is almost never used with vanilla extract, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, graham cracker, brownie mix, heavy whipping cream and spray.

vanilla extract

Image of vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is another common ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 55% of brownies recipes contain vanilla extract.

Vanilla extract is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of 1 teaspoon, 2 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon.

In brownies recipes that contain vanilla extract, it is on average, 0.5% by weight.

For brownies recipes, vanilla extract is frequently used with salt, eggs, flour, white sugar and cocoa powder. However, brownie mix and nuts are almost never used together with vanilla extract in brownies dishes.

salt

Image of salt

Salt is another common ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 85% of brownies recipes contain salt.

Common quantities for salt in brownies dishes include a quarter teaspoon, half a teaspoon or 1 teaspoon.

In brownies recipes that contain salt, it is on average, 0.2% by weight.

Eggs, flour, white sugar, vanilla extract and cocoa powder are commonly used together with salt in brownies dishes. Conversely, salt is not often used with brownie mix.

flour

Image of flour

Another popular ingredient in brownies is flour. From the recipes we've sampled for brownies, over 80% have flour.

Flour is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of half a cup, 1 cup or three quarters of a cup.

In brownies recipes that contain flour, it is on average, 10% by weight.

For brownies recipes, flour is frequently used with salt, eggs, white sugar, vanilla extract and cocoa powder. However, brownie mix is almost never used together with flour in brownies dishes.

white sugar

Image of white sugar

White sugar is another common ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 75% of brownies recipes contain white sugar.

Brownies dishes often call for white sugar to be granulated.

White sugar is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of 1 cup, 2 cups or 1.5 cups.

In brownies recipes that contain white sugar, it is on average, 24% by weight.

In recipes for brownies, white sugar is often used with flour, salt, eggs, vanilla extract and cocoa powder. On the other hand, white sugar is almost never used with brownie mix.

butter

Another popular ingredient in brownies is butter. From the recipes we've sampled for brownies, over 65% have butter.

Melted is a frequent preparation for butter in brownies dishes.

Common quantities for butter in brownies dishes include a third of a cup, half a cup or 3 tablespoons.

In brownies recipes that contain butter, it is on average, 10% by weight.

Eggs, flour, salt, white sugar and vanilla extract are commonly used together with butter in brownies dishes.

Potential substitutions for butter in brownies:
  • heavy whipping cream
Also, butter is not often used with margarine, vegetable oil, cinnamon, graham cracker, brownie mix and spray.

cocoa powder

Image of cocoa powder

Another popular ingredient in brownies is cocoa powder. From the recipes we've sampled for brownies, over 55% have cocoa powder.

Cocoa powder is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of a third of a cup, three quarters of a cup or half a cup.

In brownies recipes that contain cocoa powder, it is on average, 5% by weight.

In recipes for brownies, cocoa powder is often used with salt, white sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla extract. On the other hand, cocoa powder is almost never used with graham cracker and brownie mix.

baking powder

Image of baking powder

Baking powder is another common ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 40% of brownies recipes contain baking powder.

Common quantities for baking powder in brownies dishes include half a teaspoon, a quarter teaspoon or 1 teaspoon.

In brownies recipes that contain baking powder, it is on average, 0.3% by weight.

Eggs, flour, salt, white sugar and cocoa powder are commonly used together with baking powder in brownies dishes. Conversely, baking powder is not often used with brownie mix, heavy whipping cream and spray.

semisweet chocolate

Another popular ingredient in brownies is semisweet chocolate. From the recipes we've sampled for brownies, over 25% have semisweet chocolate.

Chopped is a frequent preparation for semisweet chocolate in brownies dishes.

Semisweet chocolate is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of 1.5 cups.

In brownies recipes that contain semisweet chocolate, it is on average, 25% by weight.

For brownies recipes, semisweet chocolate is frequently used with eggs, flour, salt, white sugar and vanilla extract. However, milk, vegetable oil, cinnamon, brownie mix, nuts and spray are almost never used together with semisweet chocolate in brownies dishes.

walnuts

Image of walnuts

Walnuts is another common ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 20% of brownies recipes contain walnuts.

Brownies dishes often call for walnuts to be chopped.

Walnuts is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of half a cup.

In brownies recipes that contain walnuts, it is on average, 7% by weight.

In recipes for brownies, walnuts is often used with salt, vanilla extract, eggs, flour and cocoa powder.

Potential substitutions for walnuts in brownies:
  • nuts
Also, walnuts is not often used with marshmallows, cinnamon, graham cracker, brownie mix and spray.

bittersweet chocolate

Image of bittersweet chocolate

Another popular ingredient in brownies is bittersweet chocolate. From the recipes we've sampled for brownies, over 20% have bittersweet chocolate.

Chopped is a frequent preparation for bittersweet chocolate in brownies dishes.

Common quantities for bittersweet chocolate in brownies dishes include 2 ounces.

In brownies recipes that contain bittersweet chocolate, it is on average, 13% by weight.

Eggs, salt, flour, white sugar and cocoa powder are commonly used together with bittersweet chocolate in brownies dishes. Conversely, bittersweet chocolate is not often used with vegetable oil, cinnamon and spray.

confectioners sugar

Confectioners sugar is another common ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 20% of brownies recipes contain confectioners sugar.

Confectioners sugar is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of 1.5 cups.

In brownies recipes that contain confectioners sugar, it is on average, 18% by weight.

For brownies recipes, confectioners sugar is frequently used with white sugar, flour, salt, eggs and cocoa powder.

Potential substitutions for confectioners sugar in brownies:
  • marshmallows
Also, confectioners sugar is not often used with cinnamon, graham cracker, brownie mix, nuts and spray.

baking soda

Image of baking soda

Another popular ingredient in brownies is baking soda. From the recipes we've sampled for brownies, over 15% have baking soda.

Baking soda is often included in brownies dishes in amounts of a quarter teaspoon.

In brownies recipes that contain baking soda, it is on average, 0.2% by weight.

In recipes for brownies, baking soda is often used with salt, eggs, flour, white sugar and vanilla extract. On the other hand, baking soda is almost never used with marshmallows, cinnamon, graham cracker, brownie mix, nuts, heavy whipping cream and spray.

oil

Oil is another common ingredient in brownies dishes. In fact, over 15% of brownies recipes contain oil.

Variations of oil include:
  • vegetable oil: 9% of recipes
  • peanut oil: 3% of recipes
White sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt and baking powder are commonly used together with oil in brownies dishes.

Other brownies Ingredients

Other significant ingredients used in brownies recipes include:

  • milk - 10%
  • brown sugar - 10%
  • marshmallows - 10%
  • margarine - 10%
  • cinnamon - 5%
  • graham cracker - 5%
  • brownie mix - 5%
  • nuts - 5%
  • heavy whipping cream - 5%
  • spray - 5%


Select Recipes for brownies (Ingredients Only)

foodnetwork.com
1 hour 20 min
  • - 1 2/3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 12 ounces)
  • - 4 large eggs
  • - 3/4 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Dark Chocolate Morsels
  • - 1 cup granulated sugar
  • - 1/3 cup butter, cut into pieces
  • - 2 large eggs
  • - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • - 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • - 1 cup (6 oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® DelightFulls Caramel Filled Morsels, divided
foodnetwork.com
(3.8)
1 hour
  • - One 18-ounce box brownie mix (plus required ingredients)
  • - 2 cups mini marshmallows 
  • - 5 graham crackers, broken up 
  • - 1 chocolate bar, roughly chopped 
foodnetwork.com
(4)
25 min
  • - 1 box brownie mix, prepared according to directions
  • - 1 egg (in addition to any eggs the brownie mix requires)
  • - Cooking spray
  • - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • - 1 cup sugar
  • - 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • - 2 large eggs
  • - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • - 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • - 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • - 1/2 cup flour
  • - 2/3 cup butter or 2/3 cup margarine
  • - 1 1/2 cups sugar (reduce to 1-1/4 cups for a less sweeter taste)
  • - 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (32 ounces)
  • - 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • - 4 eggs
  • - 1 1/2 cups flour
  • - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • - 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • - 1 cup sugar
  • - 1/2 cup flour
  • - 1/3 cup cocoa
  • - 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • - 2 eggs
  • - 1/2 cup oil (I use canola)
  • - 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • - 3 tablespoons butter
  • - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • - 2 tablespoons milk
  • - 2 tablespoons cocoa
  • - 1 teaspoon vanilla