How to Bake Delicious, Easy Brownies

Few foods are more satisfying than rich, fudge brownies. Brownies are a perfect dessert to bring to a party, are the pinnacle of a picnic lunch and are downright indulgent when paired with vanilla ice cream. Brownies are a staple for anyone with a sweet tooth. There are many brownie box mixes; and they range from bland to pretty good. But they cannot compare to brownies made from scratch. This recipe is fast--about 15 minutes prep time--and produces decadent brownies.

Things You'll Need

• 4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
• 3/4 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• Optional: 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts

Instructions

Short and sweet

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Melt the baking chocolate and butter until the butter is melted. This is most easily achieved with 2 minutes (give or take, depending on wattage) in the microwave. If you use a large bowl, you can use this same bowl for the rest of the recipe, too. Or, if you are in no rush and enjoy the hypnotic swirl of smooth butter and chocolate, melt the two ingredients in a saucepan on the stove, under very low heat, stirring constantly.

3. Stir the butter and chocolate until the chocolate is completely melted.

4. If the butter and chocolate are not already in a large bowl, transfer them to a bowl.

5. Stir in the sugar.

6. Add the eggs and vanilla. Stir again and mix well.

7. Add the flour and nuts (if you are using them). Stir until well blended.

8. Pour batter into a greased 13-by-9 inch baking pan.

9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the center emerges with fudge crumbs.

Tips & Warnings

• 1. Do not over bake. The brownies will continue to harden slightly as they cool. 2. For ease of removing brownies from the pan (and for easier dish washing), line the baking pan with foil and then grease the foil. 3. For more cake-like brownies, stir in 1/2 cup milk with the eggs and vanilla and add an extra half cup of flour. 4. For an even richer chocolate taste, stir in chocolate chips or chocolate chunks with the flour and nuts. 5. Add chopped-up peppermint patties in place of the nuts for a unique chocolate-mint brownie. 6. Marbalize with peanut butter if you like the peanut butter-and-chocolate combo. Make the recipe as directed, except put aside 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar. When you have spread the batter into the baking pan, melt the reserved butter. Then stir in the reserved sugar and 2/3 cup of peanut butter. Mix this peanut butter medley, and then spoon it into the brownie pan. Swirl with knife to marbalize the brownies.

References

• Baker's One Bowl Brownies
• Melting instructions and tips

Resources

• A variation: Baker's One Bowl cookie-stuffed brownies!