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Dave and Kate’s Brownies

Adapted from The Great Book of Chocolate For those who live outside of the U.S., you can search for unsweetened chocolate at baking supply shops and well-stocked supermarkets. Often natural foods stores carry it. Lindt makes an Excellence bar that's 99% pure cacao, which are available in many countries. And that can be used. These are very traditional American brownies. They’re a cross between cakey and chewy, with the deep, dark flavor of chocolate. You should chop the nuts a little finer than shown in the post as it will make it easier to get cleaner slices. If you want to omit the nuts, you can. Just don’t tell Kate.
  • 8 tablespoons (115g) unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 ounces (60g) unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup (200g) sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (75g) nuts, chopped
  • optional: 1/4 cup (25g) roasted cocoa nibs
  • 1/4 cup (35g) flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC.) Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan with a large rectangle of foil, leaving the overhang over the rim of the pan. Butter or spray the inside of the foil lining the pan with nonstick spray.
  • In a medium saucepan set over very low heat, melt the butter and the chocolate, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, then mix in the eggs and the vanilla extract.
  • Stir in the nuts and cocoa nibs, if using, then the flour and salt. Scrape the mixture in the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until the brownies feel just-set in the center. Remove from oven and let cool. Once cool, lift the brownies out of the pan by grasping the foil overhang, the cut the brownies into squares.

Notes

Note: For gluten-free people, I've made these with teff flour and they come out just fine. The baking time will be five or so minutes less, so check them before the end of the baking time. They will be a bit more crumbly, but perfectly delicious. You may also want to try my Gluten-Free Brownie recipe.