Recipe: Blissful Brownies

I find that these brownies are perhaps the best homemade creations I have ever eaten. They taste best when they're hot, with some cold ice cream and pecan pieces on top - delicious. See below for more ideas.

Ingredients
4 ounces (1 stick) salted butter, at room temperature
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup & 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1 cup & 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup walnuts, in small pieces (optional)

TIP: In step 4 below, beat the mixture for an extra 2 minutes on medium speed in order to make the brownies fluffier and tastier.

1. In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the butter for half a minute or so; then add the sugar and beat until the mixture is well blended together.
2. Beat in the eggs.
3. Measure and then sift the required amount of cocoa. Add this in and mix until the batter is smooth.
4. Thoroughly blend together the flour, baking powder and salt; add them to the mixing bowl and beat at medium speed.
5. Add the water and vanilla and mix them in.
6. Gently blend in the walnuts (only if you want). The dough will be a bit stiff and sticky, which is all right.
7. Pour the dough into a greased baking pan, 8-inch or something similar. Grease the pan with butter, not olive oil if possible - the smell tends to linger. After, dust the pan with flour and tap out the excess, to make the brownies easier to remove at the end.
   

TIP: Instead of using a spatula or your fingers to smooth the batter down into the baking pan, hold two sides firmly in your hands and rest the pan on a counter top. Shake it vigorously back and forth, up and down; the batter will move to the corners and even itself out quickly.

Bake the brownies for 30 to 40 minutes or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, without any batter on it. Wait at least an hour before cutting the brownies, otherwise the cuts won't come out clean. After you've eaten a few and treated your friends or family, cover the pan with aluminum foil and store them in the oven or the pantry.

The brownies will taste fine for a couple weeks max, but they taste best when fresh from the oven, of course. If you still have the brownies in your pan after a few days, a good idea is to warm up a brownie or two in the microwave (cover the plate with a moist - but not soaking - paper towel) for 10-15 seconds, and then eat it with some cold ice cream. YUM :)

The Chocolate Chronicles
photocredit1: candyaddict.com
photocredit2: piesandbass.wordpess.com