Hey can I borrow your kitchen? Mine is a mess. It’s half of a mess. I’ve managed to unpack my favorite coffee mugs, my stand mixer, and my mason jars. I’ve basically unpacked everything pretty. The rest? The drudgery? Not interested. Those will stay in a box for a good while until I lose my mind and can’t live without my boring black plastic tongs for another second.
So… I’m going to need to borrow your kitchen. I’ll come in with random bags of baking groceries. I’ll raid your cabinets for mixing bowls and wooden spoons and I’ll make us some brownies.
Working in your kitchen will be much better then unpacking my own. I think they call this avoidance. Really delicious avoidance.
My friend Gabrielle let me use her pretty marble kitchen. I made a mess, but there were brownies in the end. Forgiveness through chocolate.
I’m solely interested in comfort food these days. If it’s not gooey, melty, or dripping in caramel… I can’t with you right now. I’ll save the kale for summer.
Bittersweet and unsweetened chocolate are melted down with butter. Unsweetened cocoa powder is added too. Three way chocolate.
Three eggs, brown sugar, and lots of nuts. Tremendous success.
Eggs are beaten together with the brown sugar.
Butter and dark chocolate into the egg and sugar mixture.
Even making brownies is pretty. What a good life.
Glossy brownie batter is topped with lots nuts. I like a combination of pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts. Whole and by the handful. Salt too! Flakey sea salt takes these dark chocolate brownies over the top!
Baked but still gooey.
Under-baked just slightly. Gooey. Chocolate-y. Crunchy nuts and bright flecks of salt. Coffee would be the best idea. Pull up a stool. Forget about the dishes and all the moving boxes for as many minutes as you can.
Good life!
PrintExtra Nutty Dark Chocolate Brownies
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 1x
Ingredients
- 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1¼ cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt, plus more for topping
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 small handful pecan halves, walnut halves, and roasted hazelnuts
Instructions
- Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 8×8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and lightly spray the parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place chocolates and butter in a small, heat-proof bowl. Place bowl over a small pot of simmering water (creating a double boiler), or microwave the mixture at 50% for 30 seconds at a time, stirring until glossy and completely melted. Stir in cocoa powder.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and brown sugar until thoroughly combined. Whisk in vanilla extract. Add the chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
- Add the salt, baking soda, and flour. Stir until thoroughly combined and spoon into prepared pan. Top with nuts.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the brownies are slightly puffed, the nuts are golden brown, and the top is no longer glossy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before slicing and removing from the pan.
Bee
These came out so well! Fluffy and gooey at the same time :). I added nuts to the batter as well and some cinnamon and cayenne for a fun punch!
★★★★★
Nan V
Delicious! I will make again for sure!
I'm Patricia
This is the recipe I will use to make brownies from now on. Such a good chocolatey recipe. I used walnuts because I love them and I didn’t want to run out to delay making these brownies. I liked that the recipe calls for only half a cup of butter. That makes for un-greasy brownies. What a bonus!
Dana
I have made these twice now, and let me tell you, these are the best brownies I’ve EVER had and made! Simple yet delicious, and the sea salt makes all the difference! Love your recipes!
Ellie
Wow, these needed to be baked in a much bigger pan. There was so much batter that the top rose, domed and cracked like a cake. At first I thought I’d added too much baking soda, but nope – 1/4 tsp. Possibly they would have been fine in a 9×9 or 9×13, but as it was they didn’t cook through before the edges burned.
Mal
Nope, my bad! Just seen the step for adding the cocoa powder…it is easy to miss, but it is there!
Mal
Hmmmm…followed instructions to the T, then discovered that I had left off the cocoa powder as it had not been mentioned in the instructions (only mentioned in the list of ingredients). Of course, I only discovered this after I had bunged the tin in the oven and was checking the recipe again to work out when to add the salt topping. It would be useful to have these 2 additional steps added. I usually follow recipes as prescribed the first time before deciding if changes are required to suit my own palate, hence followed steps exactly. Might help someone else down the line…?
Gail
I’ve made these twice and they are very good but they come out cakey rather than fudgy like your picture. What am I doing wrong?
Chill K
These brownies were great. I loved the texture of the brownie and I like all my baked goods on the saltier side.
The Yummy Lounge
Love of chocolate is makes me come here again and again….
joythebaker
Chocolate does that to all of us!
Suzie
I’m scared by the amount of flour. I usually use 1/2 c. Not too cake-y?
Mayuri Patel
baked the brownies but substituted the eggs with yogurt. Best ever brownies. Turned out good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Julie
I made these last week…my chocolate-crazy cheri told me to make sure I saved the recipe. Like really, really sure. They were super good.
Rebekah
Made this today and they smelled amazing! Looked beautiful too! Sadly, I believe I overbaked them because they are not gooey. Will still be amazing with some ice cream. I baked them for only 30 mins but used convect bake…think that’s where things went a little wrong.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
You can come bake in my kitchen anytime as long as you make yummy treats like these :)
torynettleton
these look DELICIOUS. i love the addition of hazelnuts.
Sfora
OMG! I’m going to try this recipe these weekend, can’t wait for it!
ohhappydane
OMG!! That brownie looks so tempting!!! – and you make it look so easy too, thanks!! Hugs from http://www.ohhappydane.com
thefolia
I just made fudge but have the urge to make these…you can never have enough chocolate in the nest. Good luck with the unpacking I soon have to go through that again..yuk!
Katie M
What a lovely recipe! It is everything a brownie should be. So excited to make this :)
How many cups would the chocolate come to?
kellysparklesandshoes
These look and sound amazing, yum, thank you for the recipe!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
dana
Just wow! I tried it out today, i over baked it slightly, but still delicious!!! The sea salt is a lovely touch
Shari
Good luck with your journey. You can come by me and use my kitchen. I’m a good cleaner and helper. I can clean up as you try to bake. Question. I’m looking for a good brownie. Theses look wonderful. But can I make this without nuts?
Jana H
You can come bake these in my kitchen any time! You know how to deal with tiny kitchens, right? ;-)
Tori@Gringalicious.com
These brownies are perfection, Joy! Pinning!
Mary Ann
Marvelous! If you decide to take a(nother) break from unpacking and crazily decide to hide out in Chicago you can park yourself in my kitchen for as long as you want. I’ll serve you coffee and me cocoa and it’ll be swell. :)
Jessica Robinson
OMG! These look incredible!! nice to see a food blogger who uses full fat and not vegan, etc.
Rebecca
When does the salt sprinkling ensue: before or after baking? I don’t think I saw it, but it could’ve been my haste to get these in the oven!
marion
These just safed my day! Can’t wait, they just need to cool…
Katelyn
I just moved to San Diego, so I know how you feel with the move! The other day I attempted to make a cake, but soon realized all of my mixing bowls were packed up somewhere in the black abyss of boxes… so I had no choice but to use the tupperware my husband uses for his lunches haha These brownies shall be my next challenge! Thanks for yet another delicious recipe!
Sweet Tea Sweetie
I like how healthy these look!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
chilebeanz
Uh oh. This sounds like you really moved to Heartbreak Hotel. I’m sorry.
ali grace | cookies and grace
I neeeeeeed. I love the combo of all the nuts and salt on top. I’m making these as soon as humanly possible.
scarletscorchdroppers
Stunning brownies! They look so delicious, and with all those nuts I can at least pretend that these are good for me. Perfect excuse to eat two, right?
Jennie
Scarletscorchdroppers
x
Globalspiced
Chocolate and nuts. The best combination. Especially when you come home from work. I have to try that.
Charlotte
Oh my god!!! These look amazing, I need them right now!! I’ve just started my own baking blog http://www.sugarspiceandallthingsiced.wordpress.com, it would be great if you could check it out :) xx
Tracy | Pale Yellow
You can borrow my kitchen any time! I always except brownies as payment. Love the big pieces of nuts!
teffysperkst
Joy, you can use my kitchen anytime you like if the end result is brownies! Especially if they look this gorgeous. Gotta love good ol’ food porn!
{Teffy’s Perks} X
anna@icyvioletskitchen
the worst thing about my children is how they don’t like nuts. on the up side i suppose i could make this and eat them all myself?
Bethany
I HATE YOU!! I love you! Will you marry me and do all the baking!
Kate
Those look so good. I love creating the Lindt Lindor brownies that forever go down at storm at my boyfriends place of work. x
Kate | A British Sparkle
anna4t2014
Oh yum!! You can come and bake in my kitchen any day! :) Especially if you’re making these! They look perfectly gooey and delicious!
Sara (Nomad with Cookies)
How on earth were you able to hold out long enough to take these lovely pictures? I would have eaten at least one. I envy your strength.
Sara
Hi,
I’ve never been a huge brownie fan but, like many commentators have already mentioned, that topping is pure genius. Not only do I feel compelled to want to eat it, but I want to try making it too! I just wanted to ask if replacing all of the all-purpose flour with wholewheat flour will affect the recipe? Thanks!
Julie
Hazelnuts on brownies? Brilliant!!
Laura Hager
Those brownies look amazing! I must admit, I’ve never made brownies without the box, but I’m going to try! Thanks for the recipe.
Jessica Charlotte (@JessicaMennie)
These look absolutely fab! I love chocolate & nuts. Your images are beautiful too.
Jess X
http://chasinglifeandme.blogspot.com/
TimedEating
Gorgeous photos – can’t wait to try the recipe! I think February is a time for dark chocolate, all that cold outside needs something bittersweet and comforting. We made crispy chocolate cake shells full of dark chocolate custard – a bit like uber fondants recently. Here’s how we made them, woudl love comments! http://www.timedeating.co.uk/valentines-day-chocolate-dessert/
Emily
Hi Joy – I was so excited to make these, but they turned out…not great. First, I noticed that the batter was absurdly thick, and only whisked in about 3/4 of the total flour called for. In the amount of time (seconds) it took me to go get the pan to pour the batter, the whole thing had seized up and was un-whiskable. I had to add some hot water to thin it out a bit (I considered using the double boiler method to try to heat the chocolate/sugar back up again, but the shape of the bowl was not conducive), and long story short it baked up like a cake, not brownies. I’m sure the water was part of that, however I also question the use of baking soda in this recipe. After some research, I realized that your recipe is in many ways identical to that in Baking Illustrated, except theirs omits baking soda. Any thoughts?
joythebaker
Let’s talk about these brownies! Your batter was absurdly thick? This batter isn’t a pourable consistency, rather, it should come out thick and spoonable It’s hard for me to know exactly what went down in your brownie baking adventures but I don’t think the 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda is enough to make cake-y brownies. It’s more likely the water added to the batter that created the cake-like brownies, giving the gluten more liquid to absorb. Overall, yes.. the batter is thick. Water may have been the cake-y culprit.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
The extra nuts means we can kid ourselves into believing that it’s OK to have 2 pieces one after the other. I definitely would need to do that if I had a pan of these!
jujusprinkles
Go brownies! Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Elizabeth @ Pineapples and Polka Dots
Oh my, these look heavenly! I love pecans or walnuts on my brownies. Yum! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
Gigi Guerrette
– I was certain I was the only person in the whole world who was baking like I was in a fudge brownie marathon. In our home, we renamed February, 2015 as ‘Brownie Month’ (our attempt in dealing with frigid temps and unless amounts of snowfall!)
I love this recipe …. thank you for sharing. :)
AmandaKimberly
These look absolutely mouth-watering! Thanks to you, I am now craving some of those brownies :)
bridget
Yummy! Good luck with your new kitchen….and yes you may borrow my kitchen.
SeattleDee
Ooooh, yes! You’re welcome to travel and cook in my kitchen… or galley. Meanwhile I’m swooning over these brownies!
stephyharrison07
These sound divine!
Stephanie
http://ishowedupinboots.com
alanafixfeastflair
Right about now I’m wondering why I can’t remember the last time I made brownies. Best of luck with the unpacking, I just did it last year and wouldn’t wish it on my least favorite human.
Chrissy
Brownies are the best because no stand mixer. Not that I don’t love my stand mixer.
Lindsey (LouLouBiscuit)
Delicious delicious delicious! And so pretty
Jade
Making these soon no doubt about it! x
Lauren Ver Hage
HOLY HELL.
My mouth literally dropped when I went to your site this AM. these look d i v i n e. I just can’t.
Stacy
Joy,you can come to my kitchen and make me brownies whenever you want!! These sub-zero temperatures are getting to me here in Wisconsin! Comfort foods aren’t going to do any help to my figure but that’s all I want these past couple weeks. Keep the deliciousness coming and good luck unpacking!
Joy
I want these now! Delicious! Have to wait for a weekend treat I think…. Have fun borrowing kitchens Joy!
Maris
Ms. Joy,
Best luck and strength in your move. I am moving, too, and it is a particularly challenging one! I think my furniture grew! And my boxes have been having babies in wild abandon!
And GIRL, this recipe is EGGSACTLY what the Dr. ordered. And he’s really cute, so I always take his advice!
Love – Maris
Karen Ziemniak
Is there any way I could substitute almond flour or coconut flour in these?
Rebecca @ DisplacedHousewife
I’ll take the whole pan — looks delicious!!!!
Pam
I have been searching for a perfect brownie with nuts , no iceing or other stuff. Just fabulous killer brownie! Now I have a reason to live through the coldest Feburary in Toronto EVER. Cheers!!!
Sweet Tea Sweetie
Those brownies look like they more than pay for the mess!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Christy@SweetandSavoring
Look at all of those luscious nuts! Beautifully photographed as usual and they so look real I could take a bite out of my screen :)
renee
Come on over, the kitchens all yours. You bake, I’ll clean! Besides, that’s not really avoidance, it’s relationship building. Healthy relationships lower blood pressure and calm the mind. So really your kitchen borrowing, brownie making, unpacking procrastination is totally good for you ;)
joythebaker
i like the way you think!
Sarah
So what brand of chocolate chips and unsweet chocolate do you use? I can’t wait to make these.
Globalspiced Blog
The perfect brownies with all my favorite nuts. Love it and want them now, like right now!
//Valérie
http://www.globalspicedblog.tumblr.com
beckadesmidt
Oh my gahhhhhhhh. That is all I have to say. Good luck with your unpacking!
joythebaker
Thank you! Needing all the luck I can get!
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek
Perfect timing. I was searching the internet yesterday for the “best brownie recipe” and just didn’t see anything all that great. We ended up eating Girl Scout cookies.
These look delicious.
Oh, and if you would like to visit rural Oregon you can use my kitchen any time…..will it entice you if I told you I have four ovens?
Sherry@Toronto/Canada
These brownies look amazing. Thank you so much. Could you put the measurements in both ounces and cups? I don’t know how to work the scale I bought. Eek!! And for the unpacking… leave whatever you don’t need in the boxes. Whatever is still in boxes after a month, donate to charity. I think I still have items in boxes in the basement after moving in 10 years ago. I need to take my own words seriously and donate those items this year.
joythebaker
Hello Sherry! Thank you so much! I need to give these a try! The only things in ounces are the chocolates, you can’t really measure them in cups because they’re different. Most packages though give you some help when it comes to how many ounces! I hope you figure out that scale! Thanks for the unpacking tip!!
anna
Joy, these look delicious. The sincerity and honesty of your writing never fails to inspire me.
joythebaker
Oh gosh, I appreciate you Anna!
paulabalog
These look amazing! I hope the rest of your move goes well and the unpacking isn’t too overwhelming. Just remember to stop for a cup of coffee (or a doughnut) after every box.
joythebaker
Girl, you know the way to my heart…doughnuts and coffee. Now if I can only remember to drink the coffee I make!
Ella
You can borrow my kitchen any time, Joy!
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
mgncronje
Drooling so much right now! These look divine! Love everything you post!
Megs
http://www.the-whiterabbit.com
joythebaker
Get in the kitchen and make these!
Kimiko
Now these look unreal! Adding to my must bake list :)
Amy
Ever come to Nebraska, Joy the Baker? You can use my microscopic kitchen. Any day of the blessed week, girlfriend. Also. Somebody has to ask it: how do you manage making such lovely comfort food (and eschewing the kale) and still maintain a trim waist? Lives (and waistlines) depend on your answer here, no kidding.
Dr. Glass @Pampered Sweet Tooth
These brownies are making my mouth water! And you’ve awesome friends for letting you come and use/bless their kitchen.
Lisa
Omg!! My 75 year old mother is going to freak when I make these for her. She loves nuts.
joythebaker
Something tells me that your 75 year old mother and I would be best of friends!
Robin
Shall I send my address? Or just FedEx a plane ticket?
Alicia J.
Joy, come to my house and use my kitchen any time you please if we get some sort of sweet reward out of it. The brownies look wonderful.
Lisa
I’m not a big brownie fan but I love chocolate. I know, it makes no sense. I keep waiting to find the perfect brownie that will not disappoint me and this might be it. I recently tried the ones from the Ovenly baking book and they did not go over well at all. Nobody would eat more than the first taste. Anyway, best of luck unpacking. I moved 13 years ago and there is still stuff in boxes in the basement!
Natalia (basmatilime.blogspot.com)
Joy, there’s a kitchen waiting for you in Barcelona, with unlimited coffee, butter, flour and chocolate and, of course a box for Tron
Erin | Well Plated
My kitchen is at your disposal! We have bourbon, wine, and the biggest, boldest bars of dark chocolate waiting to meet their ultimate brownie destiny in full stock. You bring the hazelnuts, I’ve got the pecans (and corkscrew).
Michelle
These look amaaaazing! Love all the texture. Good luck with the rest of your unpacking!
Sharana @ living the sweet life blog
You had my attention with that first picture — OMG YUM! You can totally borrow my kitchen any time, if brownies are involved !
sweetgreenkitchen
I just finished a brownie baking binge with my own double chocolate flourless superfood brownies and was ready to move on to salads….but that was before these decadent looking treats found their way to my inbox, so I guess salads will be taking a detour so I can make these. Three kinds of chocolate and a big pile of nuts, yum, yum, triple yum!
It would be so lovely if you checked out what’s been making a mess of my kitchen over at sweetgreekitchen.com. Thanks and enjoy, I know I will!
hsimpsongrossman
Beautiful!
Karen
I will be making these soon. They look over the top good. Thanks!!
Paulette
Now that is food for the soul. Very yummy and I’m on a diet. If I lived in New Orleans you could have my kitchen whenever you wanted it. Paulette
Warm Vanilla Sugar
These are so pretty joy!! So full of flavour and crunch. Yum!
Barley Babes
So impressed that you made such gorgeous brownies during a move! It’s all I can do to order takeout… Good luck with the unpacking!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
I’ve always been against nuts in my brownies. But you’re truly making me rethink this one with these gorgeous pictures! Oh yeah!
Happy Wednesday indeed!
themoonblushbaker
Joy you had me at nutty.The whole topping is way too good to resist! I love nuts more than anything in brownies, the crunch is what I need most in a gooey brownie.
sweetgreenkitchen
I just finished a brownie baking binge for my own post of Double Chocolate Flourless Super Food Brownies and was ready to move on to salads, but I think I might just have to take a detour from the salads for another day or two so I can make these decadent and delicious looking brownies! Love the 3 kinds of chocolate and a bunch of different nuts, looks so very yum..must bake now…
When you have a moment, why not check out what’s making a mess of my kitchen http://www.sweetgreenkitchen.com.
Natasha Lancaster
Fantastic recipe – cant wait to try it!
http://highheelsbrownhair.blogspot.co.uk/
Maryse
Oh man, I wish I lived close by. If you’re ever on a holiday in the Netherlands, please come borrow my kitchen :-). Man, I crave those brownies now. And a marble kitchen. Yes please.
Clementine Buttercup
That looks like the brownie version of my favourite chocolate bar – Cadbury’s Whole Nut! Amazing!
Cherie
These look FABULOUS! I will be trying these when I have a few friends over :) As always, your photos are lovely! x