Brownies That Move Mountains

I have found that one of the best ways to thank people is food (1).  Whether it’s thanking some guys for helping you move, a friend for inviting you to a dinner party or a relative whose house you stayed at, food is always to say thank you.

I recently ran across a recipe for brownies from the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (2).  The recipe sounded great but a little intense.  I mean there’s a double boiler involved (3) and multiple types of chocolate (semisweet melted, semisweet chips [4], unsweetened).  However, it is completely worth it.  I add frosting to mine as well a ganache or cream cheese frosting make these even better

Outrageous Brownies

Note: These are baked in a 12 x 18 baking sheet.  You can also use two 12 x 9 baking sheets.

Ingredients:

                  1 pound unsalted butter

                  1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

                  6 ounces unsweetened chocolate

                  6 extra-large eggs

                  3 tablespoons instant coffee granules

                  2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

                  2 1/4 cups sugar

                  1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

                  1 tablespoon baking powder

                  1 teaspoon salt

                  3 cups chopped walnuts (didn’t use these, still good)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 12 x 18 x 1-inch baking sheet.

Melt together the butter, 1 pound of chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee granules, vanilla, and sugar. Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of flour, then add them to the chocolate batter. Pour into the baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake!

1. Or beer  

2. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/outrageous-brownies-recipe3/index.html

3. Problem, since my method of melting chocolate involved a microwave.

4. Please use good chocolate!  Like one of the ones that has a percentage of Cacao in it.  Even Kroger has a generic brand, come on