The old chocolate fudge brownies recipe published on November 6, 2008 was loved by many but I have discovered an even better recipe. This new recipe, based on Martha Stewart’s in her Baking Handbook, is fudgy and slightly chewy too, characteristics which, for me, make a brownie perfect. The brownies are great just plain but you can top them with chopped nuts to make them more festive and special, and good enough for gift-giving. If you’re not a fan of nuts, you can drizzle melted white chocolate over the brownies or sprinkle them with powdered sugar.
- 500 grams dark chocolate cut into small pieces
- 250 grams butter cut into small pieces, plus 1 tbsp. for greasing the pan
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
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Preheat the oven to 350F.
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Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 13" x 9" x 2" pan. Line with baking paper, leaving a two-inch overhang. Butter the baking paper.
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Place the chocolate and butter in a large glass mixing bowl. Heat in the microwave, at MEDIUM heat, for three to four minutes or until softened. Alternatively, use a double boiler and melt over hot water. Beat the chocolate and butter until smooth. Cool.
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Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition.
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Add the sugar and salt. Mix. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Add the flour. Mix until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan.
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Sprinkle the chopped nuts over half of the brownie batter.
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Bake for 50 to 55 minutes at 350F or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out with very few crumbs.
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Place the pan on a rack. Cool.
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Using the overhanging baking paper, lift the baked brownie in one piece and transfer to a cutting board.
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Cut down the middle to separate the half with the nuts and the plain half.
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Cut the half with nuts into two-inch squares (or whatever size you prefer — you may even cut them into bars). Place each piece in a cupcake paper liner.
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Cut the remaining half into two portions. Sprinkle one portion with powdered sugar. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the other portion. Cut everything into squares or bars.
If you intend to give away the brownies as gifts, I suggest variety with each box containing brownies with nuts, brownies with powdered sugar and brownies with white chocolate topping.
If you intend to store the brownies, I do not recommend using the powdered sugar topping as it may absorb moisture.
