The Occasion: A little Me-time. Also feed the family, treats for the loved ones, yada yada. But as they say on the airplanes, address your own needs first (safety, oxygen mask, whatever – you get the picture). You need to carve out a little time for yourself to sit a spell with this fudgy, dark brownie and a cup of coffee, glass of milk, name your poison you’re going to want something to wash this down.
Why This Recipe: It comes from Deb at Smitten Kitchen, my first fave food blog. She’s especially passionate about baked goods, as is her fandom who love these brownies a LOT.
The Subtext: We have been preparing for our annual holiday open house for weeks now, baking and freezing all sorts of goodies. Brownies and bar cookies are very well-suited for the make ahead and freeze treatment.
Why This Recipe: It comes from Deb at Smitten Kitchen, my first fave food blog. She’s especially passionate about baked goods, as is her fandom who love these brownies a LOT.
The Subtext: We have been preparing for our annual holiday open house for weeks now, baking and freezing all sorts of goodies. Brownies and bar cookies are very well-suited for the make ahead and freeze treatment.
Take a closer look at the cute vintage glass (part of a set) at Entertaining Vintage – just click the photo
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The Playlist: Please enjoy a couple of sweet little ditties from Carsie Blanton + Jonny P. Click on the artists’ names to visit their websites and learn more about them.
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The Verdict: I’ve eaten a lot of brownies in my day, and I think we know they are not all created equal. These dark and lovely beauties – unadulterated by nuts or chips or anything else – absolutely ring the bell. Super-rich and fudgy, there’s not a lot of flour in there so it’s got a torte-like texture. Mmm-hmm. That’s what I’m talking about. Perfect for that Me-time we discussed earlier – when you deserve a little indulgence, this will do the job.
Click on the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.
Click on the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.
| Printable Recipe- Best Cocoa Brownies |
Best Cocoa Brownies
Recipe source: Smitten Kitchen originally from Alice Medrich’s Bittersweet cookbook
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Recipe source: Smitten Kitchen originally from Alice Medrich’s Bittersweet cookbook
INGREDIENTS:
- 10 tablespoons (140 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (65 grams, may vary by brands) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or a heaping 1/4 teaspoon flaky salt, as I used)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, cold
- 1/2 cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup (75 grams) walnut or pecan pieces (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Line the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.
- Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl and melt them together in the microwave. Use short 20-second burst, then stir, and heat again until butter is melted.
- Set the bowl aside briefly until the mixture is only warm, not hot. It looks fairly gritty at this point, but don’t worry — it smooths out once the eggs and flour are added.
- Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon.
- Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one.
- When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula.
- Stir in the nuts, if using.
- Spread evenly in the lined pan.
- Bake until a toothpick plunged into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, about 30 minutes. (Smitten Kitchen says: put them in the fridge or freezer for a while; it helps firm them up to cut with clean lines.)
- Lift up the ends of the parchment or foil liner, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board. Cut into 16 or 25 squares.
Dark Cocoa Brownies to die for! Dead.
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