March 18, 2010

The Bee's Knees

Brownies.

It was so nice, Sunday past. We sprang forward and I played peekaboo with the sun late afternoon. The joy!

And I quote (myself), "Joy of Cooking Book Club Brownies are an after dinner favorite in our house. Moist and cakey, they are the best of both worlds when it comes to brownies. These can be addictive, so bake with caution."

I feel rather protective of Joy's Book Club Brownies.

Why?

Because they are good.

They are dead simple. No rocket science involved.

All you need to do is melt a stick of unsalted butter with 4 ounces baking chocolate. I do this in a small aluminum pan over a gentle flame (before you say "use the microwave", I'll say "we don't have a microwave").

DOUBLE BOILER NEED NOT APPLY.

While that's out of sight, out of mind (for the moment), crack four large eggs into a bowl and drop in a teaspoon of vanilla (set that aside).

While I've got your attention...man yourself with a rubber spatula !pronto!, and give the melting butter and chocolate a thorough stir...Phew, that was a close call! You can probably turn off the heat at this point. Things should continue to melt at a quiet pace while you finish prepping the rest of the ingredients.

With crisis averted, measure out 1 3/4 cup sugar into the bowl you plan to do your mixing in.

In a smaller bowl whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt.

When the chocolate and butter have melted to completion, pour into the bowl that is housing the sugar. Mix well.

Add the eggs/vanilla. Mix vigorously until the eggs have disappeared.

Finally, with gentle persuasion, fold in the dry ingredients until just combined (no more, no less).

The time has come. Pour the brownie batter into a prepared 9"x9" square pan (prepared = oiled or buttered with a sheet of parchment).

Bake at 350° for 35 minutes on the center rack.

Say it three times slow...

Brownies.

Brownies.

Brownies.

They bring out the kid in me. They really do. Just ask Roberto. He'll tell you that just last night as we were waiting for espresso to percolate (right before we chowed down with brownie) I demonstrated hopscotch on our kitchen tile.

Brownies.

16 comments:

  1. oh I love brownies and these look wonderful.

    and no microwave? I'm impressed!

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  2. I love the idea of you hopscotching for brownies.

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  3. My family is a big fan of "most" and "cakey" brownies. Yours looks divine.

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  4. Looks wonderful and oh-so-simple! I've been looking for something to do with baking chocolate that I've had for a while....

    http://bonappyall.blogspot.com/

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  5. Oh no--and I wasn't going to bake this weekend.Not!

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  6. Oh, what fun! I'll be back to bake these myself.

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  7. I just finished eating dinner. Unfortunately, I have no dessert, though I am sorely in need of some! Your picture will have to suffice for now. But baking chocolate is now on the shopping list.

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  8. Beth - Yep, no microwave. We don't subscribe. :)

    Kath - :)

    Velva - Thanks. :)

    Geoffrey – They are truly simple!

    Michele - You can always bake on Friday night...not technically the weekend...

    Denise - Or, at least hopscotch. You can do that any time.

    Jenny - It is truly sad when one does not have dessert in the house, I think. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  9. oh brownies and espresso....chocolate and caffeine! such a happy marriage

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  10. ahhhh, THE BROWNIES!!!!!

    I can't look at brownies....it immediately makes want to bake a batch and I can't stop on only one...

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  11. Oh, I love it! :-) Would you believe I've NEVER made brownies from scratch before?! This must be remedied!!!

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  12. The Paris Food Blague - A very happy marriage. :)

    M. - Eat one and freeze the rest. :)

    Tart - Oh, you must bake a batch from scratch, Tart. Once you do, there's no looking back. :)

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  13. Brownies.... oh why did you remind me of their existence? Why are you tempting me to try these? Why??
    Well... I'll probably make them next week. Are you happy now?? :)
    Magda

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  14. I'll be baking these this week

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  15. I'm such a pushover for new brownie recipes. These look wonderful!

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