These Ultimate Fudgy Brownies without Eggs are rich, chocolatey, and perfectly chewy with that classic crackly top—no eggs needed and no weird ingredients. Made with simple pantry staples and a foolproof method, this is the kind of brownie recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Bottom line: These brownies are rich, fudgy, and perfectly chewy—all without eggs.
Oriana’s Thoughts On The Recipe
If there’s one recipe I’ve tested over and over again through the years, it’s brownies. When you’re baking without eggs, getting that perfect fudgy texture can feel a little tricky—but I promise, it’s absolutely possible.
After more than 12 years of egg-free baking for my family, this is the brownie recipe I trust every single time. It’s rich, dense, and deeply chocolatey, with that soft, slightly chewy center that makes brownies so irresistible.
And the best part? No one ever realizes they’re made without eggs. This is one of those recipes that brings everyone to the table—no substitutions, no compromises, just really good brownies.
If you prefer cakey brownies, check out my Best Eggless Brownies.
What I Love About This Recipe
Fudgy vs. Cakey Brownies
Fudgy brownies are dense, rich, and moist, while cakey brownies are lighter and more airy. This recipe is designed to give you that classic fudgy texture, even without eggs, so you get the best of both worlds—deep chocolate flavor with a soft, satisfying bite.
How To Get Crackly Tops On Eggless Brownies
Getting that classic crackly top on eggless brownies is all about how you dissolve the sugar and build the batter. Even without eggs, you can still achieve that shiny, paper-thin crust with the right technique.
The key is to make sure the sugar is well dissolved into the warm butter and liquid ingredients before adding the dry ingredients. This helps create that delicate, glossy layer on top as the brownies bake.
Also, avoid overmixing once you add the flour. Mixing just until combined keeps the batter balanced and allows the top to form properly without becoming dull or cakey.
Pro Tip: Slightly warm ingredients and a smooth, well-mixed batter will give you the best chance of achieving that signature crackly top—even without eggs.
Why Are These Brownies So Fudgy Without Eggs?
These brownies turn out incredibly fudgy because of the perfect balance of fat, sugar, and flour. Instead of relying on eggs, this recipe uses that balance to create a dense, moist texture that stays soft and rich in every bite.
What Replaces Eggs In These Brownies?
Instead of eggs, this recipe uses a combination of milk and carefully adjusted dry ingredients to provide structure and moisture. This keeps the brownies tender and cohesive without affecting flavor or texture.
Ingredients Notes & Substitutions
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
- Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works best here; skip the cake flour, bread flour, and wheat flour.
- Cornstarch
- Baking powder: Make sure it’s not expired or too old.
- Salt: I prefer kosher or sea salt. If you only have table salt handy, I recommend reducing the amount to half.
- Milk: For baking, I like to use whole milk. However, you can use any milk you have handy.
- Vinegar: You can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Butter: I prefer to use unsalted butter, but if you only have salted butter handy, you can use it. In this case, skip the salt called for in the recipe.
- Sugar: You will need brown sugar and white granulated sugar.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: I use unsweetened natural cocoa powder, which is more acidic and reacts with baking powder, allowing your baked goods to rise. If you live in the US, the cocoa powder you most often see in the baking aisle, like Hershey’s or Ghirardelli, is natural. Flavor varies by brand, but you can always find me using either of these two.
- Pure vanilla extract: For optimal flavor, reach for pure vanilla instead of imitation. Even better, try homemade vanilla extract!
- Instant espresso powder: This is optional, but I recommend its addition because it enhances the chocolate flavor. Adding a little bit will make things taste more “chocolatey” without giving a coffee flavor.
- Chocolate chips or chunks: I recommend using high-quality chocolate chips. I like to use Ghirardelli Chocolate Premium Baking Chips 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate or Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate Semisweet Callets, 54.5%.
Food Allergy Swaps
This recipe is naturally egg, nut, peanut, soy, and sesame-free, making it suitable for most dietary needs. However, always check labels for hidden allergens.
- Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, you can easily swap out the dairy ingredients for non-dairy alternatives.
- Butter: Substitute butter with dairy-free butter substitutes. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks are my favorite butter substitutes for baking.
- Milk: You can use your favorite non-dairy milk, like soy or oat milk.
- Chocolate Chips: Use your favorite dairy-free chocolate; here you can find the brands I mostly like and use.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free, all-purpose flour blend. Look for a gluten-free flour blend specifically formulated for baking, as it will have the right combination of flours and starches to mimic the texture of wheat flour. My favorite is Better Batter Original Blend. I also like Doves Farm Freee Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, but this blend does not contain xanthan gum, so you need to add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup (140 g) of gluten-free flour blend.
Step-by-Step Recipe Photo Tutorial
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
Step 1 – Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat the oven to 325º F (165º C). Line an 8-inch x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2 – Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Step 3 – Combine Milk and Vinegar
In a mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the milk and vinegar. Let the mixture rest for 5 to 8 minutes, until thickened and curdled.
Step 4 – Melt Butter
Melt butter in the microwave. Alternatively, you can do it over the stovetop in a medium saucepan.
Step 5 – Add Sugars
Stir in the sugars and mix until well combined. The mixture must be homogeneous and glossy.
Step 6 – Add Milk Mixture
Add milk mixture; mix with a whisk to incorporate. Microwave the mixture for 2 minutes. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and continue mixing with the whisk for 1 – 2 minutes. Undissolved sugar will prevent you from getting the crackly top on the brownies, so rub a little between your first finger and thumb to test. If it feels smooth with no grains of sugar, it’s ready. If you can feel some grains, place the mixture in the microwave and heat for 1 more minute, and then mix with the whisk for 1 -2 minutes. Repeat until you don’t feel any grain of sugar at all.
Step 7 – Stir in Cocoa
Add cocoa powder, mix to incorporate; continue stirring constantly for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and instant espresso powder (if using), mix to incorporate.
Step 8 – Add Dry Ingredients
Add the flour mixture; stir until mostly combined. Then add the chocolate chips and stir until no flour remains.
Step 9 – Pour into Prepared Pan
Pour the batter into the pan. Use a spatula to spread it to the edges of the pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan once or twice on the counter to settle any air pockets; you can also poke the air pockets with the tip of a knife or toothpick. Top with more chocolate chips or chunks, if desired.
Step 10 – Bake
Bake for 45 – 50 minutes or until the brownies are set and the tops or cracked and shiny. You’ll notice the center does not wiggle when the pan is moved. If in doubt, it’s better to underbake these brownies a bit rather than overbake. Unfortunately, the toothpick test doesn’t work well for these brownies because the chocolate chips get melty!
Step 11 – Cool and Cut
Set the pan on a wire rack until completely cooled. When completely cooked, run a thin knife around the edge of the pan to make sure the block of brownies is loose, then lift from the pan using the parchment paper sling. Slice the brownies into 9 or 12 squares.
Are These Brownies Fudgy Or Cakey?
These are definitely fudgy brownies. They are rich, dense, and moist in the center with slightly chewy edges—exactly what you expect from a classic fudgy brownie. If you prefer cakey brownies, check out my Best Eggless Brownies.
How To Fix Sunken Brownies
When baking brownies, especially those without eggs, a common problem is that the center can sink slightly. This happens because the outer edges bake more quickly and rise more, while the center remains soft. Most people will tell you to cook the brownies for a longer time. The problem with this, in my opinion, is that the chance of overbaking the brownies increases, and NO one likes dry brownies. I have a simple solution to this problem. As soon as you get the brownies out of the oven, GENTLY push down the edges with a spatula.
Quick Baking Tips
I highly recommend measuring the ingredients with a kitchen scale. Metric measurements provide the most accurate, easy-to-replicate results. These measurements were not run through a conversion calculator, but rather hand-weighed and tested by me.
Use high-quality chocolate chips. I like to use Ghirardelli Chocolate Premium Baking Chips 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate or Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate Semisweet Callets, 54.5%.
Make sure the sugar is dissolved. Undissolved sugar will prevent you from getting the crackly top on the brownies, so after adding the milk and heating in the microwave, rub a little of the mixture between your first finger and thumb to test. If it feels smooth with no grains of sugar, it’s ready. If you can feel some grains, place the mixture in the microwave and heat for 1 more minute, and then mix with the whisk for 1 -2 minutes. Repeat until you don’t feel any grain of sugar at all.
Preheat the oven for at least 15 minutes before getting started to give it plenty of time to reach the ideal recipe temperature.
Bake the batter as soon as it is ready.
Don’t open the oven door until your baked goods have set. Leave the oven closed until the minimum time is stated in the recipe.
Know your oven! Every oven is different, so baking times always have to be taken with a grain of salt. Oven thermostats can be wildly off, and that will all affect baking time, so keep an eye on yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to cut brownies is to let the brownies cool off completely and use a plastic knife. Alternatively, you can also use a hot knife or a regular knife covered in cooking spray to cut.
For baking sweets, metal is better! Metal pans distribute the heat more efficiently, resulting in evenly baked and brown sweets. Glass pans bake more quickly. If you need to substitute a glass pan for a metal one, you will need to decrease the oven temperature by about 20 – 25 degrees to ensure that your baked good does not overbake or burn.
In most of my egg-free recipes, I use unsweetened natural cocoa powder, which is more acidic and reacts with leavaners, allowing your baked goods to rise. If you live in the US, the cocoa powder you most often see in the baking aisle, like Hershey’s or Ghirardelli, is natural. Flavor varies by brand, but you can always find me using either of these two.
Yes! Finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can easily be added to this recipe. I recommend 1/2 to 3/4 cup of chopped nuts.
If you want your brownies to be super chocolatey, use dark chocolate chips or chunks. If not, use semi-sweet chocolate chunks or a mix of dark and semi-sweet.
For more cakey brownies, use my Best Eggless Brownies recipe.
Storing & Freezing Instructions
Store: Cover and store leftover brownies at room temperature for up to 7 days.
Freeze: Brownies freeze well up to 3 months. Wrap cooled brownies in plastic wrap, then in foil, and then place them in an airtight freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Our Favorite Ways to Serve These Brownies!
Recipe Card
Ultimate Fudgy Brownies without Eggs
Video
Important
• For best results, I highly recommend using a kitchen scale to measure the ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup (175 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (10 g) cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon (130 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon ( 5 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 2/3 cup (160 g) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (150 g) white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon (57 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup (100 g) chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325º F (165 º C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray with baking spray.
- Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the milk and vinegar. Let the mixture rest for 5 to 8 minutes, until thickened and curdled.
- Melt butter in the microwave. Alternatively, you can do it over the stovetop in a medium saucepan.
- Stir in the sugars and mix until well combined, for about 2 – 3 minutes. The mixture must be homogeneous and glossy, not oily.
- Add milk mixture to the butter mixture; mix with a whisk to incorporate. Microwave the mixture for 2 minutes. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and continue mixing with the whisk for 1 – 2 minutes. Undissolved sugar will prevent you from getting the crackly top on the brownies, so rub a little of the mixture between your first finger and thumb to test. If it feels smooth with no grains of sugar, it's ready. If you can feel some grains, place the mixture in the microwave and heat for 1 more minute, and then mix with the whisk for 1 -2 minutes. Repeat until you don’t feel any grain of sugar at all.
- Add cocoa powder, and mix to incorporate; continue constantly stirring for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and instant espresso powder (if used), and mix to incorporate.
- Add the flour mixture; stir until mostly combined. Then add the chocolate chips (reserve 1/4 cup for the top if desired) and stir until no flour remains.
- Pour the batter into the pan. Use a spatula to spread it to the edges of the pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan once or twice on the counter to settle any air pockets; you can also poke the air pockets with the tip of a knife or toothpick. Top with more chocolate chips or chunks, if desired.
- Bake for 40 – 50 minutes or until the brownies are set and the tops or cracked and shiny. You'll notice the center does not wiggle when the pan is moved. If in doubt, it's better to underbake these brownies rather than overbake them. Unfortunately, the toothpick test doesn't work well for these brownies because the chocolate chips get melty! IMPORTANT: Every oven is different, so baking times always have to be taken with a grain of salt. Oven thermostats can be wildly off, and that will all affect baking time.
- When the brownies are ready, remove them from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack until completely cooled.
- When completely cool, run a thin knife around the edge of the pan to make sure the block of brownies is loose, then lift from the pan using the parchment paper sling. Cut the brownies into 9 or 12 squares.
- This recipe is naturally egg, nut, peanut, soy, and sesame-free, making it suitable for most dietary needs. However, always check labels for hidden allergens.
- Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, you can easily swap out the dairy ingredients for non-dairy alternatives.
- Butter: Substitute butter with dairy-free butter substitutes. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks are my favorite butter substitutes for baking.
- Milk: You can use your favorite non-dairy milk, like soy or oat milk.
- Chocolate Chips: Use your favorite dairy-free chocolate; here you can find the brands I mostly like and use.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free, all-purpose flour blend. Look for a gluten-free flour blend specifically formulated for baking, as it will have the right combination of flours and starches to mimic the texture of wheat flour. My favorite is Better Batter Original Blend. I also like Doves Farm Freee Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, but this blend does not contain xanthan gum, so you need to add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup (140 g) of gluten-free flour blend.
- I highly recommend measuring the ingredients with a kitchen scale. Metric measurements provide the most accurate, easy-to-replicate results. These measurements were not run through a conversion calculator but rather hand-weighed and tested by me.
- Use high-quality chocolate chips. I like to use Ghirardelli Chocolate Premium Baking Chips 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate or Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate Semisweet Callets, 54.5%.
- Undissolved sugar will prevent you from getting the crackly top on the brownies, so after adding the milk and heating it in the microwave, rub a little of the mixture between your first finger and thumb to test. If it feels smooth with no grains of sugar, it’s ready. If you can feel some grains, place the mixture in the microwave and heat for 1 more minute, and then mix with the whisk for 1 -2 minutes. Repeat until you don’t feel any grain of sugar at all.
- Preheat the oven for at least 15 minutes before getting started to give it plenty of time to reach the ideal recipe temperature.
- Bake the batter as soon as it is ready.
- Don’t open the oven door until your baked goods have set. Leave the oven closed until the minimum time is stated in the recipe.
- Every oven is different, so baking times always have to be taken with a grain of salt. Oven thermostats can be wildly off, and that will all affect baking time, so keep an eye on yours.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve asked, and I’ve answered! Read on for a handful of answers to the most frequently asked questions about eggless baking.
soo good, so glad to find an eggless recipe that works every
time!
Hello Jiawei! This is exactly why I do what I do — thank you! Knowing you have a recipe you can count on every single time is the best feeling. Enjoy every bite! 🧡
what the fuck writes a recipe with no measurements?
Hi Oilve! All the measurements are in the recipe card — just scroll down past the post and you’ll find everything listed there with full instructions. Hope that helps and that you love the recipe!
You’re so rude…. and clearly slow.