Birthday Brownies

Copyright 2011 LtDan'sKitchen Blogs

Brownies as a birthday cake is quite unusual but not for Nigella Lawson and I'm with her on this. Brownies have been relegated to something you make when you are pressed for time or if you can't think of anything else to bake. It is definitely not a birthday staple but I think it should be. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that I will be making brownies for any upcoming birthday parties but it is good to know that I have an option.

Initially featured in the Brownies Inc post, I'm rewriting the recipe as presented in Nigella's book. For some reason, the link featured measurements that are either in grams or pounds. Not an issue for me since I have a scale but for the novice baker, measurements in cups might be an easier way to do things.

*Brownies - Adapted

1 2/3 cup unsalted butter

13 oz bittersweet chocolate

6 large eggs

1 1/2 cup flour

1 2/3 cup sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tsp instant coffee

1 tsp salt

1 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1. Melt butter and chocolate in a heat-proof bowl over simmering water.

    Let cool for a few minutes.

2. With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, add the sugar and coffee and

    mix well.

3. Add the eggs one at a time mixing well per addition followed by the

    vanilla extract and salt.

4. Sift the flour over the chocolate mixture and mix well. Add in  
    the walnuts and pour into a 9x13 baking pan lined with foil (grease  
    the foil with butter to prevent brownie from sticking).

5. Bake in preheated over at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Do not overbake
    and the top should be pale brown. Remove from the oven and cool  
    to room temperature. Cool even further in the fridge for 2-4 hours.

The brownie is gungy as Nigella would refer to it which translates to very fudgy. The cooling process helps you achieve a clean slice when you cut into the brownie. I like to keep these brownies chilled and serve them paired with a hot cup of tea.

* Lawson, Nigella. How To Be a Domestic Goddess. Hyperion. New York: 2001