Best-ever Chewy Brownies - (Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen)
GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS
• ⅓ cup Dutch-processed cocoa
• 1½ teaspoons espresso powder, optional
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 TBS. pure vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (17 1/2 ounces) sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (8 3/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon table salt
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• Cooking spray, such as PAM
KEY EQUIPMENT
• Measuring Spoons
• Liquid & Dry Measuring Cups
• Silicone Spatulas
• 13” x 9” pan, preferably not a very dark pan
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
For the chewiest texture, it is important to let the brownies cool thoroughly before cutting. If your baking dish is glass, cool the brownies 10 minutes, then remove them promptly from the pan (otherwise, the superior heat retention of glass can lead to over baking). While any high-quality bittersweet chocolate can be used in this recipe, our preferred is Ghirardelli (you can find in most grocery stores). Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or frozen up to 6 months if wrapped tightly.
INSTRUCTIONS
Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the pan with a foil "sling"...Fit foil into length of 13 by 9-inch baking pan, pushing it into corners and up the sides of pan; allow excess to overhang pan edges. Cut another piece and fit into width of pan. Spray lightly with cooking spray, like PAM.
Whisk cocoa, espresso powder (if using), and boiling water together in 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 the large bittersweet chocolate pieces.
Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick inserted halfway between edge and center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack and cool 1½ hours.
Using foil overhang, lift brownies from pan. Return brownies to wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour. For very sharp cuts on the brownies, we suggest freezing, then cutting with a Chef’s knife. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve. Enjoy! NOTE: If using a glass pan, remove brownies from pan after cooling only 10 minutes as the glass conducts heat and will continue to bake the brownies after you remove from the oven. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. These are worth waiting for!
