Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will ensure your brownies come out easily and don’t stick to the pan.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in 20-second intervals, stirring after each. Be careful not to overheat it—just melt it until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt until fully combined. This will ensure you get an even distribution of the cocoa flavor and sweetness in every bite.

To the melted butter, add the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The batter should be smooth and glossy.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is fully incorporated. If you’re adding chocolate chips, now’s the time to fold them in for that extra burst of chocolate goodness.

Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The top should look set, and the edges may slightly pull away from the pan.

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This ensures they set properly and won’t fall apart when you slice them.