Do you happen to watch Rachel Zoe’s reality show on Bravo Network? She’s a celebrity stylist, and when she sees something that she is absolutely in love with and can’t live without, she says, “I die.” Slowly. With great emphasis. Like that thing, whatever it is she’s seen, has made her die and go to heaven. These fudgy brownies? I die.
When it comes to brownies, as with a lot of other food items, everyone has their own strict criteria for what makes it “the one,” the perfect stop-your-search, call-off-the-dogs version. For me, with brownies, I want them fudgy. The fudgier the better. Those are Nick‘s favorite kind too. You can have your cakey brownies. They just don’t do it for us. Madeline, my girl with the crazy sweet tooth, will eat any kind, thankyouverymuch.
I found this recipe on The Modern Apron’s blog (original post here), and she got it from an LA Times write-up, and it’s actually a recipe from a restaurant that serves it as part of a Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae. And that may just be the excuse to make another batch of these babies. To serve in a Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae. Hmmm… Moist, fudgy, delicious, rich but not too rich, this recipe serves up everything a brownie should be and then some. What’s more, you probably have all the ingredients in your cupboard right now … the next time you’re craving something sweet, go for these. You won’t be disappointed.
Fudge Brownies
from the LA Times’ Culinary SOS feature; this is the brownie from the Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae at a restaurant called BLD
1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons (13 ounces) chocolate chips
1/4 cup cocoa powder
5 eggs, room temperature
3 cups light brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground espresso
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups flour
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt together the butter, chocolate and cocoa powder, stirring until completely combined.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs and sugar. Whisk in the espresso, vanilla and salt. Whisk in the melted chocolate mixture, then the flour until thoroughly combined. Pour the brownie mix into a greased 13-inch-by-9-inch baking dish.
4. Bake the brownies on the center rack until set on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (it should have moist crumbs stuck to it, but the filling should not be doughy), 45 minutes to an hour and ten minutes (start checking around 35 minutes; the original recipe said they’d be done in 45 minutes, but at 45 minutes mine were still pretty liquid in the center. They were in there for a good hour). Remove the brownies and cool the pan on a rack to room temperature. Cut into squares to serve.
I think this could make a lot of people say “I die”. :)
With three sticks of butter, I’m surprised its not a Paula Deen recipe! It sounds delicious though.
I loove chocolate. What kind of chips do you use? I love milk chocolate but sometimes bittersweet works better in baked goods.
Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae’s are to die for! You know this recipe HAS to be good because it calls for THREE sticks of butter! I think I gained a pound just looking at the picture.
Oh boy. I have my favourite, never fail brownie recipe…..and I’ve never been tempted to try another….until now!
Brownies are one of my ultimate weaknesses. Along with pecan pie bars, but that’s a whole other issue. For me, the fudgier the better. I imagine the search for the perfect brownie is must like your search for the perfect pizza. It must be out there somewhere!
Wow, those look amazing. I am a big – HUGE – fan of fudgy brownies. My favorite are the BAKED recipe from that place in Brooklyn. My friend made me some recently (http://virtualfrolic.blogspot.com/2009/08/baking-baked-brownies.html) and they were AMAZING.
ALWAYS looking for the perfect brownie with the right fudgy/cakey ratio. Thanks!
yummm… brownies, warm with a little ice cream or whipped cream… wow a brownie – cookie package would really taste yummy. :)
They look delicious. My son loves brownies and will eat any kind!
I made a brownie worth dying for yesterday too! These look amazing… I’d top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot butterscotch (my fave)!
ooh, have one for me, those look fantastic! :)
Mmm, I could just crawl onto the plate and curl up with those brownies.
3 sticks of butter!!! Yikes…. My doctor would kill me, but I would go happy.
Ramona
Scrumptious! I love the addition of espresso!
Jenn – you ain’t kidding!
Natasha – me too! I don’t drink the stuff, but use it alot in baking and love the extra deep flavor and richness it gives things.
Ramona – shhh, I won’t tell if you won’t!
Natashya – perfect cure for whatever ails you, right?
Shannon – one is about it! Always make sure to have plenty of places to drop them off … all in the name of getting them out of the house quick!
Lori – love a brownie sundae – off to check out the one you made.
Debbie – gotta love a kid and their sweet tooth. :)
Chris – soon, I promise!
Jen – hope it’s the one for you!
Sarah – I have the Baked cookbook, but haven’t made anything from it yet … maybe another thing to add to our list when you’re here?
Joanne – all in the name of research, right? :)
Julie – sorry! ;)
Jess – haven’t had a hot fudge brownie sundae in ages, but this brownie is definitely perfect for it.
Maris – I used regular milk chocolate this time.
Mandy – I’m sure Paula would be proud, that’s for sure!
WOW! Hands down the best I have ever made. I didnt have expresso so I added a tsp cinnamon and about 1/8 tsp chili powder. If Death is like this, bring it on!
Those brownies do look like a perfect brownie!
Drool, drool, gimme some! These look deelicious!