Sometimes I turn chocolate into cookies.
Sometimes I turn chocolate into cake.
Once I turned chocolate into sorbet.
I usually sleep with a chocolate bar on my nightstand. ย You probably think I’m kidding. ย I’m not. ย It’s strangely comforting.
Chocolate bread? ย Ok… that seems like a good call.
Chocolate for breakfast? ย Duh.
But my all time favorite way to work some chocolate into my system is with a simple brownie. ย Dense. ย Fudgy. ย Unadulterated chocolate magic.
Things aren’t that complicated today. ย I made brownies. ย Dark chocolate brownies. ย They were dense but moist, and just fudgy enough to make you reach for a glass of milk. ย They were delicious. ย I shared them with people. ย They made me more popular. ย I’m one of the cool kids now. ย It was just that easy.
Dark Chocolate Brownies
adapted from Bon Appetit, August 1999
makes 24 brownies
8 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. ย Butter a 9×13-inch baking pan. ย Line the pan with foil and butter the foil. ย This will make brownie removal much easier.
Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
Place butter and chopped chocolate in a medium sized heat proof bowl. ย Place the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, being sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the boiling water. ย Stir until chocolate and butter are completely melted. ย Use pot holders to remove the bowl from over the boiling water. Lets mixture sit for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and espresso powder. ย Whisk until pale and thick. ย Pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. ย Whisk until completely incorporated. ย Add the flour mixture all at once and whisk to incorporate. ย Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
137 Responses
Tried it and LOVED it!
I made these today, and they turned out awesomely! I’ll be mailing mine to a friend whose birthday I recently forgot (terrible, but I hope these brownies will make up for it). I individually wrapped them and am shipping them off this afternoon. I love how the top turns out smooth and shiny, and the inside is the perfect mix of fudginess and cakeiness. Thank you for the recipe!
Does this recipe call for a glass or metal baking pan?
I prefer the metal pans!