Monday, February 25, 2008

Brownie Coma

The following recipe is the absolute BEST brownie recipe I have ever made. My husband went crazy over them, and trust me, he is a very harsh critic. These are super rich and moist. This will put you in a serious chocolate coma. Just be really careful to not overcook them. Keep an eye on them toward the end. Even just a few minutes overcooked will ruin them. If you cut them in small circles or squares, top with piped white chocolate (or your favorite) mousse, and finish with a small raspberry, they make a beautiful presentation for a gathering on a tiered server.

(Recipe from Nigella Lawson, from The Food Network)

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

3 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate
6 eggs
1 3/4 cups superfine sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white chocolate buttons, chips, or morsels
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate buttons, chips or morsels
Approximately 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar, for garnish

Special equipment: Baking tin (approximately 11 1/4 inches by 9 inches by 2 inches), sides and base lined with baking parchment.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a large heavy based pan over a low heat.
In a bowl or large measuring jug, beat the eggs together with the superfine sugar and vanilla extract.

Allow the chocolate mixture to cool a little, then add the egg and sugar mixture and beat well. Fold in the flour and salt. Then stir in the white chocolate buttons or chips, and the semisweet chocolate buttons or chips. Beat to combine then scrape and pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin.

Bake for about 25 minutes. You can see when the brownies are ready because the top dries to a slightly paler brown speckle, while the middle remains dark, dense and gooey. Even with such a big batch you do need to keep checking on it: the difference between gooey brownies and dry ones is only a few minutes. Remember, too, that they will continue to cook as they cool.

To serve, cut into squares while still warm and pile up on a large plate, sprinkling with confectioners' sugar pushed with a teaspoon through a small sieve.


YUM YUM YUM.

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