To say that I am a huge fan of chocolate is an understatement. Chocolate, like music, has the power to capture my attention among so much competition and slow down my world to where, for a moment, there is nothing else. It is a sweet ballad with layers of satisfying depth just enough to leave you yearning for a tiny bit more.
It’s holiday baking season and I promise I’ll follow up with something a little less decadent next week. But until then, let’s indulge the darker impulses. The batter here is laced with chocolate and spices and I didn’t add the nuts until the end. The basic recipe is an excellent vehicle for the many variations of brownies out there. With only seven players on the roster and four simple steps in the game, you don’t need a science degree to make these delicious brownies from scratch.
This week, it’s party after party, but I took a time out to celebrate my grandma’s 87th birthday. After a full week of work (and play) I went out to Coney Island in Brooklyn, taking the F train to the very last stop. I popped into the Russian grocery to collect a few pickled items and some wonderful desserts that I have yet to try in my own kitchen and crossed the street to where they finally took the scaffolding down. I opened the door to the hallway without having to buzz in this time because last year the door stopped locking on its own. As soon as I stepped in I was enveloped by the unmistakable aroma of Grandma’s cooking, the best smell in the world. Walking down the hallway, I made sure to put my foot in the single black tile that has the missing piece in the shape of the top of a man’s shoe, something I’ve done since I was a kid. I always thought it was my father’s footprint. I rang the doorbell and Grandma opened the door smiling in her house-dress, telling me I’m too thin and wrapping her arms around me.
The unwavering love of a grandmother is a dangerous thing. It’s the kind of love that can mess you up. It envelopes you and changes you slowly in an act of attrition so that you’re completely unprepared for your return to the colder, less caring world. Even though it was Grandma’s birthday, she insisted on waiting on me hand and foot. At dinner, as per usual, she wouldn’t sit down to eat until I’d finished eating everything she put on my plate. And she kept refilling it. She served me the middle and best piece of her meatloaf, ignoring my attenuated cries of protest. In the morning, when she served the smoked salmon that she got just for me because it’s my favorite, she gave me the thickest part, reserving the thinner, end piece for herself. When she saw me trying to share or leave extras for her she yelled at me, “There’s plenty. Take. I won’t starve.”
We went out later in the morning to go shopping for odds and ends and among other housewares Grandma found two beautiful highly discounted books that seemed out of place in the store we were in. One was the history of Fenway Park in Boston and the other was the history of football. In a Russian neighborhood where English and knowledge of American history are sparse, I could see why these might be steeply discounted. These were books my grandpa would have loved if he were still around. He was the biggest fan of baseball facts and history I’ve ever met. He also knew every college football march song by heart. Grandma picked up the books and flipped through them. Then she put them in her cart, a little embarrassed and whispered, “I can’t not. Grandpa would have loved them so.” I agreed and we got the books. She put them on his shelf right next to his baseball almanacs. If I’m ever to be a grandma, I’ll try to be a bad, mean one for the sake of my grandchildren. So the world won’t break their hearts.
I told Grandma that I was making brownies for a party this weekend and she gave me her recipe, among others. This isn’t that recipe. I promised her it would remain our secret. But it’s not very different from this genius recipe, which can be enriched with Mexican spices or made nutty, gooey or extra chocolatey (see variations below). Have a wonderful week and happy baking!
DECADENT DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, plus a little more for greasing the pan
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
DIRECTIONS:
Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a square baking pan with butter or line it by overlapping 2 pieces of parchment paper or aluminum foil crosswise and grease the lining.
Combine the butter and the chocolate in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring occasionally. (Or microwave them in a large microwave-safe bowl on medium for 10-second intervals, stirring after each.) When the chocolate is just about melted, remove the saucepan from the heat (or bowl from the microwave) and continue to stir until the mixture is smooth.
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl (or use the bowl you put in the microwave) and stir in the sugar. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time. Gently stir in the flour, salt, and the vanilla if you’re using it.
Pour and scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until just barely set in the middle. Cool on a rack until set. If you used parchment, lift it out to remove the brownies. If not, cut them in squares right in the pan. Store, covered, at room temperature, for no more than a day.
Tips:
If you use parchment paper (or foil) to line the pan, leave an extra inch or two overhanging each end. When the brownies are cool, grab each flap and lift them out of the pan.
Err on the side of underbaking: An overcooked brownie is dry and cakey, while an undercooked brownie is gooey and delicious.
Variations:
Nutty Brownies: In Step 3, substitute 1/4 cup finely ground hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, or pecans (use the food processor or blender to grind them) for 1/4 cup of the flour and add 1 cup lightly toasted, roughly chopped nuts to the batter.
Mexican Cocoa Brownies: After the brownies cool a bit but are still warm, put 2 tablespoons cocoa, 1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small strainer and shake it over the pan to dust the tops of the brownies or you could lace it into the batter in step 3.
Lovely brownies, Amanda, I love all the suggested variations as well, especially the spiced one. And how you talk about visiting your Grandma, and promising not to share her recipes. Have a very nice holiday season!
Thank you, Darya. The variations are key, but for the party I wanted to keep it kind of neutral. I had a great time visiting Grandma. It’s so special. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season too. I owe you an email 🙂
That looks so, so, freaking delicious. Chocolate is my life – now that it’s finals season, this IS my life!
Thanks so much for your comment! I hear you about chocolate and finals 🙂 They make a dangerous combo. These are easy. You should give them a try 🙂
I love homemade brownies! Your variations look like fun. I enjoyed reading about your visit with your grandma. You are so lucky to have such a close relationship with her. The love of grandparents is so unconditional and special, that I understand what you mean about it being heart-breaking.
Thank you, Jenny. I really am lucky. Most people my age don’t get to experience a relationship like this. It really is so so special that I was afraid to write about it. You know how sometimes you want to keep something special a secret…I agree with you about that unconditional love. And the love of brownies. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments 🙂 Be well.
i am so much in love with your grandma! I LOVE GRANDMAS. it sounds likes you have just about the loveliest time with her. and while i cry that you aren’t sharing her recipe, i totally totally agree with why you aren’t sharing it.
hahah aww. I recall you having a similar relationship with your grandma too 🙂 We really did have a nice time. I think we both really enjoy these visits and it’s even better when the bitter cold breeze from the Atlantic isn’t threatening to blow us over. I promise you this recipe is very close and the results are just as amazing if not better! Be well
So heartwarming that you have such a wonderful relationship with your grandmother and that you take time to go and visit her. I am sure was thrilled and, of course, she is going to fuss over you.
My husband would love these brownies – first they are brownies and them they are made with dark chocolate.
Have fun during the holidays.
Thank you, Jovina. We really do have a great time together. It’s a highlight for both of us. And these brownies are so good! They’re easy to make and can be altered in so many ways. Happy holidays to you too! All the best.
You won’t believe this, but I love Brownies and yours look perfect! I had a wonderful Grandma too, so I read this with a tear in my eye.
I don’t believe you could be a bad mean Grandma if you tried and I think kids need someone who embodies goodness – there’s enough badness out there and they need an antidote 😉
Omg a sweet that md likes?!!! Wow. I’m glad you can relate. It is a special relationship. I almost didn’t post this because it’s too close to me. I agree with you about my grandparenting skills. I don’t think I could be bad. And there is precious little good so I should probably stay in that realm. 🙂 thanks again, MD. I think you’d like Coney island.
Brownies remind me of Barcelona and my ex girlfriend (an American). We made lots of them.
I never did make it to Coney Island, but it’s definitely somewhere I’d like to visit 🙂
Aww. Funny that food can do that 🙂
Your picture game is on FIRE Amanda!!
Whatever improvements your making, please keep it up, lord!
Happy 87th nana!!
Thank you, Dana!!! I’ve been experimenting! So glad you noticed. Isn’t it funny that the more you learn the more you know you need to learn. So annoying! Always so great to hear from you. And thanks for gma’s bday wishes. I hope you’re well. xoxo
Your brownies look amazing Amanda and Happy Birthday to your Grandma. Happy Holidays! 🙂
Thanks, Linda! All the best to you 🙂
Happy (belated) birthday to your grandmother. The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is a very special, unique one and it is essential to the personality of any decent human being. Enjoy every second spent with her. She sounds like a very special woman.
Thank you, Francesca. I agree. And it really is such a precious thing to have that time with grandparents because not everyone has it. Thanks so much 🙂
You are so right, the unwavering love of a grandmother is so special and your grandmother sounds so sweet and caring. I have wonderful memories of mine…I used to love the stuffed cabbage she made for me for my birthday. I can’t resist a brownie and I know I would love yours.
Thank you, Karen. My grandma made stuffed cabbage too. I should make it more! I’m glad you had that special connection too. It’s amazing the memories that food can conjure up. Be well.
Beautiful brownies and gorgeous photos! I love your variations – that’s exactly how I like to cook and bake as well! Never make the same recipe twice – or rarely do I!
Thank you, Mimi! I think you made brownies a few weeks ago and they got stuck in my head. I just love them.
I’m hooked now! Going to try those brownies this weekend and I’ll let you know how they turn out!
Aww thank you!! xo