Brown Sugar Brownies

I didn't create this blog to tell you about brownies.  Everyone already has a brownie recipe, that one they can whip up on short notice for the church potluck or the school bake sale.

Well, maybe not.  I, for one, have never settled on a brownie recipe.  I'll make ones with cocoa powder instead of baking chocolate.  I'll make ones with cinnamon and chili pepper.  It goes without saying I'll make ones with peanut butter.  Last week, I made some with black beans (they were pretty good).

But this is probably the best go-to brownie recipe there is.  It takes literally ten minutes to from deciding you want brownies to throwing them in the oven.  They are perfect for the classic brownie lover, but the addition of brown sugar makes them just a little bit different.  They are solidly on the fudgy side of the cakey-fudgy continuum (which is how a brownie should be).  And it doesn't hurt that my mother-in-law likes them.

So I will begin this blog with a brownie recipe.  I suppose it makes sense.  While people may be super impressed by perfectly caramelized lemon creme brulee, most just want a great brownie with a big glass of milk.  In that way, brownies are like the omelettes of the baking world.  A perfect omelette is said to be the test of a great chef - not sweet buter poached lobster tail.  Master the basics before attempting the complex.  I'll take that to mean I should whip up another tray of brownies and pour myself some cold milk.

Brown Sugar Brownies
Makes 16

The one note I would make is that you should use high quality chocolate for all your baking endeavors.  I grew up using Baker's Chocolate, too.  I get it.  It's cheap, and it generally has fine results.  But trust me when I say find yourself an excellent chocolate, and try that instead.  You'll never go back.

1/2 lb butter
4 oz chopped dark chocolate (choose between 72% and 85% cocoa)
4 eggs
1/2 c sugar
1 c packed brown sugar
1 t vanilla extract
3/4 c flour
1 c nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter an 8x8 (or larger) baking dish.  Melt the butter on the stove or in the microwave.  Remove from the heat, and stir in the chocolate until it is melted.  In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar and brown sugar until thick.  Add the vanilla and the chocolate mixture until it is incorporated.  Stir in the flour and nuts if using.  Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on baking dish size.  Check for doneness after 25 minutes - there's nothing worse than an overcooked brownie.  They're done when a knife comes out clean.  Let cool for an hour before cutting into squares.