Ingredients

• ½ cup cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Optional
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped nuts

Instructions

1 Preheat oven
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8 inch pan.
2 Heat the base
In a medium saucepan over low heat, stir together the oil, sugar, and cocoa powder until warm and smooth (about 1–2 minutes). Remove from heat.
3 Add eggs and vanilla
Let cool slightly, then whisk in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla.
4 Add dry ingredients
Stir in the flour, salt, and baking powder until just combined. Do not overmix.
5 Add extras (optional)
Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if using.
6 Bake
Spread batter into the pan and bake 20–25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.