Chewy Brownies

Calling all chocolate lovers! These brownies are for you!

These brownies are cakey, borderline fudgy and have an intense chocolate flavor.

These chewy treats are filled with hidden dark chocolate chunks and will  undoubtedly have you returning for more. Serve the brownies on their own or with ice cream, strawberries and hot fudge sauce.


Chewy Brownies
Adapted from: Cooks Illustrated

1/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon table salt
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I used dark chocolate)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350° F with the oven rack on the lowest position.  Using a 9 × 13 baking pan, cut two pieces of foil, and fold the edges over so they fit perfectly in the pan.  Place on piece of foil lengthwise, and one width-wise.  This will allow you to lift the brownies easily out of the pan after they are cooked.  Once the foil has been fitted into the pan, spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Whisk cocoa, espresso powder, and boiling water together in a large bowl until smooth.  Add unsweetened chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted.  Whisk in melted butter and oil. (Mixture may look curdled).  Add eggs, yolks, and vanilla and continue to whisk until smooth and homogeneous.  Whisk in sugar until fully incorporated.  Add flour and salt and mix with rubber spatula until combined.  Fold in bittersweet chocolate pieces.

Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached, about 30 to 35 minutes.  Transfer pan to a rack and cool for 1 1/2 hours.

Using foil overhang, lift the brownies from the pan.  Return brownies to a wire rack and let them cool completely, about 1 hour.  Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.