This is an America’s Test Kitchen Recipe. I think that this brownie turns out with just the right balance between caky and fudge. In my mind that is one step closer to heaven. So, here is what I just made this morning. (minus the nuts)
Ingredients:
1 Cup (4oz.) Pecans or walnuts, chopped medium, optional
1 ¼ Cups (5 oz) cake flour (“Softasilk” brand, or other. – It really makes a difference!)
½ Tsp. salt
¾ tsp. baking Powder
6 oz. UNSWEETENED baking chocolate, chopped fine
12 Tbs. (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter cut into 1 inch pcs.
2 ¼ C (15 ¾ oz) sugar, white granulated
4 large eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Adjust oven rack to middle, preheat to 325 degrees. Line 9×13 inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray or olive oil.
If using nuts, spread evenly on rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until fragrant, 5 to 8 min. set aside to cool. (I dont use the nuts, usually).
Whisk to combine flour, salt and baking. powder. Set aside.
Melt chocolate and butter in microwave. First on high 45 sec, stir, and then alternate additional 30 sec in micro on high and stirring… until smooth. Do not let chocolate burn. Gradually whisk in sugar. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Whisk in vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 additions, folding in with spatula after each, until batter is completely smooth and homogenous.
Transfer to pan and spread into corners, etc. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top, if using. Bake until toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool to room temp (2hrs) in pan. Then remove by lifting foil overhang and cut. Enjoy!
Melody’s suggestions: If you want these to turn out beautifully – I highly recommend the cake flour – totally worth it! also – I melted the chocolate and butter first – then let it cool while I put together the dry ingredients. Once I had mixed the dry ingredients – then I added sugar and eggs to the chocolate butter mixture per the directions. I made these in muffin cups and they needed to bake right about 28 minutes… low and slow – be careful not to overbake, if you’re doing it in a pan. : ) I did not do the nuts.
daily portion 