There is nothing more American than the brownie! A great brownie is the perfect balance of cake and fudge and has the flavor to stand up to either a strong black coffee or an ice cold glass of milk. This is my favorite brownie, based off one by Cook’s Illustrated. It may take close to 3 hours from mixing to finally eating, but the wait is well worth it for what I consider to be the perfect brownie.
All American Brownies
1 cup toasted pecans
1 1/4 cup cake flour (5 oz by weight)
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
6 oz unsweetened chocolate
12 oz unsalted butter
2 1/4 cup sugar
4 lg eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 325. Toast pecans in oven 5-8 minutes on sheet pan. Meanwhile, fit a 13×9 pan with an aluminum foil “sling” by folding foil to fit both lengthwise and width-wise with at least a 1″ overlap. This will make removal of the brownies possible. Spray “slinged” pan with nonstick spray.
- Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder together and set aside.
- Melt chocolate and butter in a large bowl in the microwave. Heat 45 seconds on high and stir. Continue to heat 30 seconds at a time until almost all the chocolate is melted. Stir mixture until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Whisk sugar into chocolate mixture. Add eggs one at a time until each is fully incorporated. Whisk vanilla in with last egg. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold flour mixture into wet ingredients a third at a time until batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into pan and smooth to corners. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top and slightly press into batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. If it comes out with batter the brownies will be dense and gummy. If it comes out clean, the brownies will be dry and cakey.
- Cool brownies for 2 HOURS before removing from pan! This is a must!! The chocolate in the brownies must have a chance to fully cool or you won’t be able to cut them without making a huge mess.
- Lift brownies by the sling, cut into large, scrumptious squares, and enjoy!!
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