4.15.2007

the quest for the best

there is no doubt that box mix brownies are the best. THE BEST!!!!

but, they are so epically disgusting. so, i am on a mission (along with another crazy person) to make THE BEST homemade brownies that taste just like mix brownies, but better.

yesterday, i made my first trial batch. they could have been a little chewier (we think that will involve less baking powder/more baking soda/cake flour/maybe some cornstarch or powdered sugar), but i have to say that they were pretty darned good. in fact, i think that they were the best homemade brownies i've ever had.

test brownies, first try

4 T. butter
12 oz. bittersweet chocolate (i used a random mixture of valrhona, el rey and *gasp!* scharffenberger, since that's all i had)
1/2 cup cocoa (i used valrhona, because it's the best)
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
4 large eggs
2 C sugar
4 t vanilla
3/4 C water
3/4 cup oil (i actually used olive oil since that's all i had)

preheat oven to 350°F.

line a 9x13 inch pan with foil or parchment, leaving couple of inches extra over each side so you'll be able to pull out the brownies in one piece later.

melt the butter, chocolate and cocoa in a double boiler.

meanwhile, beat the eggs and sugar in a stand mixer on medium speed for about 4 minutes until they are pale and creamy.

sift together the flour, soda, powder and salt.

when the chocolate mixture is thoroughly melted, add it to the egg mixture, and mix to combine.

combine the water, vanilla and oil in a cup with a pour spout.

alternately add the dry ingredients and the water/oil/vanilla mixture to teh chocolate egg mixture, mixing after each addition. start and end with dry ingredients.

do not over mix!

pour into the pan and bake until just set. i think mine took somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-35 minutes.

good luck!

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