Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Melt Butter and Chocolate:

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and semi-sweet chocolate together in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly.

Mix Wet Ingredients:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until thick and pale. Gradually whisk in the melted chocolate mixture until fully incorporated.

Combine Dry Ingredients:

In another bowl, sift together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.

Add Optional Mix-ins:

If desired, fold in chopped nuts or additional chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.

Bake:

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Cool and Slice:

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.

Serve:

Enjoy your Chocolate Brownies on their own or topped with ice cream for an extra treat!