Brownies

Dave's Favourite Brownies

A double batch of moist brownies for a large gathering, to bring to a potluck supper, or so you'll have enough left-over after Dave gets to them. 

For a more elegant presentation, top with Kardea Brown's mocha ganache.

Note: for a nut substitute in the brownies, use chocolate chips, or try Post Grape Nuts or Rice Krispies cereal .

• 1/2 lb. unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 5 squares unsweetened baking chocolate (OR mix together 15 Tbsp. cocoa powder + 5 Tbsp. melted butter) 
• 2 cups white granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs, beaten
• 1-1/3 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips OR Andes mints (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt butter and chocolate in the top of a double boiler.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine melted chocolate and butter with sugar, beaten eggs, flour, baking powder and salt (if using salted butter, add less salt or no salt.)

Mix for 2 minutes.

Stir in nuts (or cereal substitute) by hand.
Pour brownie batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.

Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Remove pan of brownies from oven.

Brownies should be moist and not over-baked.

Put an empty baking pan in the still-hot oven to heat for a few minutes.

Sprinkle chocolate chips* over the brownies.

Remove the heated, empty pan from the oven and use it to cover the pan of brownies and melt the chocolate chips via residual heat. (If you forget to heat the pan or don't have an extra, use aluminum foil, shiny side in, to cover the warm pan of brownies.)

Spread the melted chocolate over the brownies evenly with the side of a dinner knife or a spatula. Brownies can be served warm in a dish topped with vanilla ice cream.

Or allow brownies to cool, cut in squares and serve.

Kardea Brown's Mocha Ganache Brownie Topping

The ganache recipe is from the Miss Brown cooking show on HGTV. 

• 4 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped 
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp heavy (whipping) cream
• 2 Tbsp strong coffee
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt (optional)

1. Put the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl and set aside.
2. Heat the cream and coffee in a small saucepan just until it barely reaches a simmer.
3. Pour the liquid over the chocolate and let sit for 10 seconds before whisking until smooth and shiny.
4. Pour the ganache over the cooled brownies, gently shaking to completely coat the top.
5. Let sit at room temperature until completely cool (about 1 hour) or pop into the refrigerator for 15 minutes before sprinkling with sea salt (if using).
6. Run a knife around the edge of the baking pan and use the parchment to lift out the brownies before slicing.

Fry's Brownies

My mom didn't make brownies often, but when she did she used this recipe from the Fry's Cocoa tin.

It is good and simple.

• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup real cocoa powder
• 2 cups white granulated sugar
• 4 large beaten eggs
• 1-1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1. Mix together flour, baking powder and salt.
2. In a separate large bowl, mix together melted butter, cocoa, and sugar until well-combined.
3. Add beaten eggs and vanilla to butter mixture, mix well.
4. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, combine.
5. Stir in chopped nuts if using.
6. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
7. Bake 30-35 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven.

Caramel-Pecan Brownies

• 7 caramels
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs. beaten
• 1/3 cup melted butter plus 1 Tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp maple flavor
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Grease a 9x9 inch pan.
2. Heat 7 caramels and 1/2 cup milk in a double boiler, stirring until caramels are melted.
3. When sauce is smooth, take off heat but keep warm.
4. In mixer, beat 3/4 cups sugar and 2 eggs together about 5 minutes or till fluffy.
5. Combine 1/4 cup of the caramel sauce with 1/3 cup melted butter.
6. Slowly add to egg mixture.
7. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
8. Mix into batter. Add maple flavour, mix well.
9. Stir in pecans by hand.
10. With spatula, spread mixture in a greased 9x9 inch pan.
11. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven 30 to 35 minutes.
12. Add 1 Tbsp of melted butter to remaining caramel sauce.
13. Drizzle over brownies.
14. Cool and cut into squares.