Best Brownies Ever!

by Laura

This perfectly fudgy chocolate brownies recipe is adapted from a Martha Stewart I stumbled upon when internet recipe hunting a few weeks ago and I am so glad it came into my life! One bite of these is pure chocolate heaven and the recipe is so simple! No special equipment required!

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies 

adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used Guittard dark chocolate wafers/discs)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan or heatproof glass dish. Line pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on 2 sides. Set aside. Place butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water; stir frequently until chocolate and butter are melted, about 7 minutes. Remove bowl from heat; let cool to room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Stir sugar into cooled chocolate mixture until combined. Whisk in eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Whisk in vanilla. Gently fold in flour and salt.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan, and smooth top with an offset spatula. Bake until cake tester inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Run a knife or offset spatula around the edges of the pan. Using parchment, lift brownies out of pan and onto the rack. Transfer to a cutting board; cut into 2-inch squares.

Here's how mine turned out:

Trust me--these are as good as they look!

I've made these three times--once with high quality Valrhona chocolate and twice with the Guittard Dark Chocolate wafers/discs and Diane and I both agree the Guittard chocolate made the tastier brownies! Whatever chocolate you decide to use make these babies this holiday season (or anytime really) and everyone around you will thank you!

Happy Holidays!