Saturday, October 2, 2010

Seriously Fudgy Brownies, and My 300th Post




It's been quite a week for me. This week:

I celebrated my 2nd blogiversary;
It was my week to pick the recipe for Tuesdays with Dorie (see what I picked here);
French Fridays with Dorie made the first recipe from Around My French Table, gougeres;
This is my 300th post, and
I finally made these brownies.

If you noticed the clouds parting, the sun breaking through and the birds chirping, these brownies are likely the reason. You're welcome.

I found the recipe on the back of the double-Dutch dark cocoa I recently ordered from King Arthur Flour and it's one of those one bowl, throw everything in and stir recipes that are perfect for busy nights. I made them before work Friday and they couldn't be easier. They resulted in absolute rapture among my co-workers. I cynically thought they wouldn't be this good. The expresso powder smelled like it overpowered the cocoa. They are a very chewy, almost wet, brownie. There is a high ratio of sugar. More eggs than I usually see in brownie recipes. Etc.

But no, these were brownie perfection. The edges cook up crunchy from all that sugar. The middle is very fudgy with no perception of flour to break up the chocolaty flavor. I put the nuts on top so they brown and are a counterpoint to the chocolate flavor. I like the punch of chocolate offset with a crunchy nut. I added semisweet chocolate chips to contrast with the deep cocoa flavor.

I don't know how much the double-Dutch dark cocoa had to do with how great these are but I bet  a lot. I plan to make these again soon. And often.

Notes:
  • I would use a parchment sling next time to make removal from the pan and cutting easier (it may seem like more work but it's worth it);
  • Allow to cool completely and sit out for a few hours before serving. It's hard to do, but they'll taste so much better;
  • Don't be tempted to cook them until they test done. They won't, and you'll be stuck with overdone brownies. That would be a crying shame. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
Seriously Fudgy Brownies - (adapted from King Arthur Flour)
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 cup powdered sugar 
1 1/3 cup Dutch cocoa (preferably King Arthur Flour double-Dutch dark cocoa)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons espresso powder
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
6 eggs
1/4 cup water
1 cup canola oil
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9 inch pan cooking spray or line with parchment paper to form a sling. If pan is completely lined with the parchment paper, there is no need to use cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, cocoa, salt and espresso powder. Stir in the chocolate chips. Add the eggs, water and canola and stir with a spatula until combined. Spread batter evenly in the pan and sprinkle over the nuts if using. Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies just start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool completely in the pan on a rack. If using parchment, pull the brownies out of the pan using the ends of the sling. Remove the parchment paper and slice into squares. 

21 comments:

Cristine said...

Congrats on 300! The brownies look insanely delicious!

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary and congrats on your 300th post!!

These look delicious :)

TeaLady said...

I LOVE dark fudgey brownies. Those look FANTASTIC!!

Congrats on 300 posts in two years of blogging. I am glad you decided to take it up!!

Torviewtoronto said...

congrats
flavourful delicious

Kayte said...

Happy 300th! I will get to the TWD tarte, double post next week...just been a bit behind, I know we will love it, however. I am so happy you are blogging!

margot said...

Happy blogiversary! 300 posts is very impressive. I'm always up to try a new brownie recipe and happen to have that kind of cocoa powder.

Anonymous said...

There's a lot of everything in those brownies - sugar, chocolate, eggs. I would be wary of them too, but I know you know your stuff, especially when it come to chocolate! I like the idea of putting nuts on top - I could have toasty nuts for me and a nut-free part for my husband.

Jessica of My Baking Heart said...

Congrats on #300, Leslie! :) Those brownies look sinful!

natalia said...

Cara Leslie, I want one subito !! You describe them so well I planned to bake them this afternoon !! Happy 300th post ! Baci

Di said...

Happy blogiversary! And congrats on the other milestones, too. I'm not the biggest fan of Dutch-processed cocoa, but you've just about convinced me that I need to try these brownies. =)

Shandy said...

Congratulations on 300 posts!!! What a feat; plus your brownies look to-die-for! What a treat to post and share.
Don't you just love King Arthur Flour? I drool on their catalog constantly. I buy vanilla bean paste and cocoa powder through them along with cookie cutters, Wow, now that I think about it, I really do enjoy their site and catalog.


Aren't you going on vacation soon? I can not wait to live vicariously through you both. Paris, sigh.

Geeket said...

mummh yummy

Pamela said...

Hooray on the Blogiversary and your 300th post!! Fabulous. And these brownies look killer good!! YUM!

Anne said...

Congrats on 300 posts, wow! These brownies look and sound absolutely perfect, I'm going to have to try them!

Shandy said...

Leslie, I never thought about making two loaves and freezing one. You are a genius! In the middle of making dinner right now and I like your idea of a grilled cheese sandwich over the chicken dinner I am getting ready. I think my tummy started growling as soon as I read all your great ideas!

AmyRuth said...

Have you thought of a career in sales? he he You are very convincing, my friend. Happy Blogoversary. That's awesome that you keep track. Lots of celebrations! I would be as big as a house if I was anywhere near enough to eat all the wonderful treats you make. Thank you for the recipe and thank you also for your kind words.
AmyRuth

Serene @ MomFood said...

Brownies are my nemesis (don't like cake, don't much like chocolate), but James and Guy will DEVOUR these. Thanks! :-)

Cakelaw said...

Congrats on all of your achievements! Now pass me a brownie please ...

Hanaâ said...

Happy blogaversary!! Funny, I also just celebrated my 2nd blogaversary (I have my post up) but I haven't been doing as much blogging as you have. So kudos to you!
The brownies look wonderful and super chocolatey.

Btw, the double apple bundt cake in your other post looks great. I have been eying that recipe for a while now and I really think the time has come to make it, especially with all the wonderful apples available these days!

Mimi said...

Happy Blogoversary and congrats on 300 posts. That equals a lot of time, effort and good eats.
Mimi

Norliza said...

Hi Leslie
Just stumbled on your blog and saw your dark chocalatty brownies. Looks amazing. Cant wait to try them out.
BTW, congrats on 2 yrs of blogging. I just started to blog... still a newbie.