15-Minute No-Bake Brownies

Written by
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
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Stephanie Gallagher
Updated 03/03/21
No bake brownies recipe

The Spruce
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Chill Time: 3 hrs
Total: 3 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
314 Calories
15g Fat
41g Carbs
7g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 314
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 138mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 29g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 155mg 12%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 278mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Whether the kids are bugging you for a chocolaty treat and you don't have the time to bake, or it's just too hot outside to turn on the oven, this no-bake brownie recipe is the perfect solution. It is easy and uses ingredients you probably have on hand in your pantry. Calling for just sweetened condensed milk, unsweetened chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, and walnuts, these no-bake brownies are simple to put together and sure to satisfy any chocolate craving.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. 

    No-bake brownies ingredients

    The Spruce

  2. Spray a 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

  3. Heat the sweetened condensed milk and unsweetened chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until the chocolate is melted, and the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.

    Melted chocolate in a saucepan
     The Spruce

  4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the graham cracker crumbs and half of the chopped walnuts.

    Stir in graham cracker crumbs and walnuts
    The Spruce

  5. Spread the mixture in the prepared pan. Top with the remaining walnuts.

    Spread brownie mixture in pan and top with walnuts
    The Spruce

  6. Cover and chill until firm, 3 to 4 hours.

  7. Cut into 12 pieces and enjoy.

    No-bake brownies on plate
    The Spruce 

Tips

  • To make your own graham cracker crumbs, put graham crackers into a food processor and pulse until they are fine crumbs. You can also crumble them with your hands or put them in a zip-lock bag and crush them with a rolling pin, but keep in mind the crumbs won't be uniform.
  • Make sure you use sweetened condensed milk for this recipe and not evaporated milk. Both have over half of their water content removed, but the condensed milk contains added sugar, while the evaporated is unsweetened.
  • If there are any leftovers, these brownies should be kept in the refrigerator. They'll last for 4 to 5 days in the fridge if no one eats them first!
  • Make a double batch and freeze one—they'll keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Recipe Variations

  • If you like, you can turn this mixture into brownie balls instead of squares. Simply use a tablespoon or cookie dough scoop to portion out and then roll the batter into a ball. Place the remaining chopped nuts on a plate and roll the balls in the walnuts to coat. Chill for 3 to 4 hours until firm.
  • Instead of walnuts, try chopped hazelnuts, which are sure to please Nutella fans. Pecans can add a nice Southern twist, and almonds would make the brownies reminiscent of a favorite candy bar. Also, feel free to use a combination of nuts for a rich and interesting flavor.
  • If you substitute white chocolate for the unsweetened chocolate, this brownie will turn into a decadent confection. Consider using pistachios for the crunch, as the green tint will make for an attractive dessert.
  • To make these no-bake brownies nut-free, replace the walnuts with toffee bits or other crushed candy.
  • Turn these brownies into s'mores treats by swapping mini marshmallows for the walnuts.