Brownies Recipe

Photo: Uncut Recipes

---

Who's ready for a sweet treat that will make your day a whole lot better? We're talking about our delightful brownie recipe that's easy to make, a joy to share, and perfect for those 'just because' moments.

Back in the day, brownies were born out of a necessity for a portable dessert. The objective was simple yet unique - something that was less crumbly than a cake, but more filling than a cookie. And what a successful experiment that was! Today, brownies have become a beloved treat globally, gracing the tables at parties, bake sales, and comfort food sessions.

What we love about this recipe is its simplicity. We are bringing together the familiar ingredients of chocolate, sugar, and flour, adding a dash of vanilla for that aromatic sweetness, and a hint of baking soda for a soft texture. Not to forget, the butter that generously contributes to a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

This recipe brings out the magic of baking - from the sifting of dry ingredients to the melting of chocolate chips, every step is a dance of flavors coming together. There's something deeply satisfying about stirring that glossy, velvety chocolate mixture and watching it transform into a tray of irresistible brownies in the oven.

JUMP TO:

INGREDIENTS:

Semisweet Chocolate Chips: The choice of chocolate is paramount to the flavor of your brownies. Semisweet chocolate typically has a cacao content of around 60%. Choose high-quality chocolate chips for a superior flavor; look for brands that list cocoa or cacao as the first ingredient, not sugar. If you prefer a more intense chocolate flavor, you could opt for bittersweet chocolate chips with a higher percentage of cacao. Conversely, if you favor a milder, sweeter flavor, milk chocolate chips could be used.

MAIN STEPS:

Sifting Dry Ingredients: This might seem like a simple step, but it's essential for the texture of your brownies. It aerates the flour and ensures there are no lumps, which could lead to uneven baking. Invest in a good sifter and take your time with this step.

Melting Chocolate Mixture: The process of melting the sugar, butter, and water together is crucial. You must be patient and keep the heat medium to avoid scorching the mixture. Once it comes to a boil, promptly add the chocolate chips and ensure they're fully melted. If you rush this step or the heat is too high, you might end up with a grainy texture, which will affect your brownies.

Incorporating Eggs: When adding eggs to the warm chocolate mixture, do it quickly and stir immediately. This will prevent the eggs from scrambling due to the heat. You want a smooth, creamy mixture, not chocolate scrambled eggs!

Mixing Dry and Wet Ingredients: Combine these carefully and gradually. Overmixing can result in tough brownies as it develops the gluten in the flour. You should stop mixing as soon as you no longer see dry flour.

Baking: Every oven is slightly different, so keep an eye on your brownies, especially towards the end of the baking time. The goal is to achieve a dry-looking top and slight pulling away from the edges of the pan, signaling they're done. A skewer test might not work here since ideally, brownies should be fudgy, and hence, a skewer might not come out clean.

Cooling: As tempting as it might be to dive into your brownies immediately, allowing them to cool completely is essential. Not only will this make it easier to cut them into neat squares, but it also helps the flavors to settle and develop more fully.

SERVED WITH:

Starter: Cheese Platter (France): A variety of soft and hard cheeses with different breads can make a delightful starter. The cheeses' creamy texture and flavors can contrast nicely with the richness of the brownies.

Starter: Bruschetta (Italy): This classic Italian appetizer involves grilled bread topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil. Its savory freshness would provide a nice counterpoint to the sweet and rich brownies.

Main Course: Coq au Vin (France): This French dish of chicken cooked in red wine with mushrooms and onions is rich and hearty. The savory and slightly tangy flavors will balance the sweetness of the brownies.

Main Course: Pot Roast (United States): Slow-cooked beef with root vegetables and herbs creates a comfort food classic that would pair well with the homey feel of brownies for dessert.

Side Dish: Greek Salad (Greece): The crisp, fresh vegetables, olives, and feta in a Greek salad offer a refreshing contrast to the dense, rich brownies.

Dessert: Vanilla Ice Cream (Global): Classic vanilla ice cream is a simple but perfect pairing for brownies. The cold, creamy ice cream complements the warm, gooey brownies excellently.

Drink: Coffee (Ethiopia): The birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia produces some of the world's best beans. A strong cup of Ethiopian coffee with its distinctive fruity acidity would be a perfect beverage to cut through the richness of the brownies and enhance the chocolate flavor.

ALTERNATIVES:

Dessert: Chocolate Lava Cake (France): This is a popular dessert that features a rich and decadent chocolate cake with a warm, molten chocolate center. Its ingredients are similar to brownies, but the baking method creates a very different and dramatic result.

Dessert: Chocolate Fondant (United Kingdom): This dish is a creamy chocolate pudding with a melt-in-the-mouth center. Its texture contrasts with the denseness of brownies, while still offering that rich, chocolatey taste.

Dessert: Kladdkaka (Sweden): Also known as Swedish sticky cake, Kladdkaka is a rich and gooey chocolate cake. It has a soft and sticky texture, similar to a brownie but usually with a bit more of a cake-like crumb.

Dessert: Chocoflan (Mexico): This is a unique Mexican dessert that combines chocolate cake and flan. The chocolate batter for the cake portion is similar to a brownie batter, but the addition of the custardy flan makes for an intriguing combination of flavors and textures.

Dessert: Brigadeiros (Brazil): This beloved Brazilian treat is made from condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles. It has a similar chocolate flavor to brownies, but its small, truffle-like form provides a different experience.

Dessert: Sachertorte (Austria): This famous Viennese cake comprises dense chocolate cake layers separated by apricot jam and coated in dark chocolate icing. It offers a fruity twist on the rich chocolate flavors found in brownies.

Dessert: Black Forest Gateau (Germany): This classic German dessert combines chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream in layers of deliciousness. The chocolate sponge shares some similarities with brownie ingredients, but the addition of cherries and cream creates a much lighter and fruitier treat.

HISTORY:

Sink your teeth into the rich, chocolaty saga of the classic Brownie Recipe. A tale woven with strands of innovation, culinary evolution, and the unifying power of chocolate, this decadent dessert is a testament to the power of simple ingredients combined with a dash of creativity.

Brownies are a culinary marvel of the late 19th century. The legend traces its roots back to a kitchen in the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, where the brownie was conceived as a portable dessert that could fit into a lunchbox. This innovative response to a unique request sowed the seeds for the brownie's exponential growth and evolution, including the emergence of the classic Brownie Recipe.

Although it was born in America, the classic Brownie Recipe quickly caught the attention of chocolate lovers worldwide. Its ease of preparation and intensely chocolate flavor led to its global popularity, eventually permeating numerous cultures. Today, the brownie is a global dessert staple, with variations spanning from Europe to Asia, and all the way down to Australia.

Brownies share their name with friendly mythical creatures found in old English and Scottish folklore. Although there is no direct link between these brownie sprites and the dessert, it's a fun piece of trivia that adds a dash of magic to our beloved brownie's tale.

TIPS:

Incorporate Coffee: Coffee can enhance the flavor of chocolate without making the dish taste like coffee itself. Try adding a shot of strong espresso or a tablespoon of instant coffee granules to the wet mixture.

Bain-Marie Chocolate Melting: Consider melting the chocolate and butter using a bain-marie or double boiler. This slow, gentle heat will prevent the chocolate from seizing or burning, maintaining its smooth, luxurious texture.

Blooming Cocoa: Blooming cocoa refers to the process of heating cocoa with a small amount of hot liquid to bring out its best flavors. You can apply this technique by mixing the cocoa with hot water or coffee before adding it to the batter.

Custom Chocolate Mix: Different chocolates provide different flavor profiles. Blend two or more high-quality chocolates, like a mix of semi-sweet and bittersweet, to create a more complex and layered chocolate taste in your brownies.

Advanced Flavor Additions: Consider flavor additions such as chili powder, cinnamon, or candied orange peel for a unique twist to your brownies. Alternatively, a spoonful of quality bourbon or rum can add a different depth of flavor.

Temperature Fluctuation Baking: Start baking at a slightly higher temperature and then lower it after 10-15 minutes. This method can create a great crackly top while keeping the inside fudgy.

Add a Ganache Layer: To make your brownies extra decadent, add a layer of chocolate ganache on top after the brownies have cooled down. Sprinkle some sea salt on top to counter the sweetness and add complexity.

Perfect Square Cuts: For clean-cut squares, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean after each cut. For even better results, chill the brownies before cutting.

Ingredients:

Conversions and Servings: Cups (8 Brownies) Cups (16 Brownies) Cups (24 Brownies) Cups (30 Brownies) Cups (36 Brownies) Cups (48 Brownies) Imperial (8 Brownies) Imperial (16 Brownies) Imperial (24 Brownies) Imperial (30 Brownies) Imperial (36 Brownies) Imperial (48 Brownies) Metric (8 Brownies) Metric (16 Brownies) Metric (24 Brownies) Metric (30 Brownies) Metric (36 Brownies) Metric (48 Brownies)

Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 165C / 325F.

02 - You'll then need to prepare your baking dish. Ideally, you should use a 9x13-inch Pan. Make sure to grease it generously with some Butter or Cooking Spray, which prevents your Brownies from sticking to the pan.


03 - In a medium Bowl, sift together your Flour, Salt, and Baking Soda. Once done, set this bowl aside for later.


04 - Up next, let's create the chocolate mixture. In a medium Saucepan, combine your Sugar, Butter, and Water. Cook this over medium heat, stirring continuously until it comes to a boil.

05 - Once boiling, remove your saucepan from the heat. Immediately add in the Chocolate Chips, stirring until they're fully melted and the mixture is smooth.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

06 - Add the Eggs and Vanilla to your chocolate mixture. Be sure to mix these in thoroughly, ensuring they're fully incorporated.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

07 - Now, take the Flour mixture you prepared earlier in Step 03, and stir it into your chocolate mixture. Do this gradually to avoid lumps, stirring until just combined.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

08 - You're ready to fill your baking dish. Spread the Brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Try to make sure the surface is level so it bakes uniformly.

09 - Bake your Brownies in the preheated oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. You'll know they're ready when the top appears dry and the edges have begun to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan.

10 - Once your Brownies are done, resist the urge to cut them right away. Instead, let them cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice and enjoy!

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Notes:

Choosing the Chocolate: This recipe uses semisweet chocolate chips, which provide a balance of sweetness. For a darker, richer flavor, you could use bittersweet chocolate chips.

Preparing the Pan: Properly greasing the pan is crucial for easy removal of the brownies. Additionally, lining the greased pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides, can help lift the brownies out once they're cooled.

Sifting Dry Ingredients: The recipe mentions sifting the dry ingredients together. This helps remove any lumps, aerates the mixture, and ensures the ingredients are well combined.

Storing the Brownies: These brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months, wrapped individually in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag.

Reheating Brownies: To enjoy a brownie that has been frozen, you can thaw it at room temperature. For a warm treat, heat it gently in the microwave.

---

---

Written by: Uncut Recipes

Disclaimer

---

---