Indulge in the Ultimate Fudgy Outrageous Brownies: The Secret to Deep Chocolate Flavor
There are few desserts as universally beloved as the brownie. That perfect square of rich, dense chocolate goodness has a way of comforting the soul and satisfying even the most intense cravings. But what if I told you there’s a secret ingredient that can elevate your brownies from simply delicious to truly outrageous, deepening their chocolate flavor without adding its own distinct taste? This month, as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of our #chocolateparty, we uncovered that very secret: coffee.
Yes, you read that right – coffee! As an avid baker and chocolate enthusiast, but not a coffee drinker myself, I was initially skeptical. Coffee has such a bold, distinct flavor profile, and I couldn’t imagine it enhancing chocolate without overpowering it. Yet, the challenge for our latest #chocolateparty was to pair chocolate with coffee, and as someone who’s participated in every monthly challenge over the past year, I couldn’t possibly skip this grand finale!
Unlocking the Magic: Why Coffee and Chocolate Are a Match Made in Heaven
For years, I’d heard whispers in the culinary world: a touch of coffee can enhance chocolate. I’d read it in countless recipes and seen it on cooking shows, but the concept remained a mystery to me. How could a flavor as strong as coffee simply “enhance” chocolate without making the dessert taste like a mocha? My personal aversion to coffee meant I never bothered to test this theory. However, with the #chocolateparty challenge, I had no choice but to dive in and put this long-standing culinary wisdom to the test.
And what an eye-opening experience it was! To my absolute surprise and delight, the theory proved to be true. When used sparingly, instant coffee granules don’t impart a coffee flavor to the brownies at all. Instead, they act as a profound flavor enhancer, similar to how salt brings out the sweetness in many dishes. The coffee amplifies the natural bitterness and complexity of the cocoa, allowing the chocolate notes to shine through with an unparalleled depth and richness. It’s like turning up the volume on your favorite chocolate song – suddenly, every nuance is clearer, richer, and more satisfying.
Crafting the Perfect Outrageous Brownies, Inspired by Ina Garten
With this newfound revelation, I knew exactly which recipe to turn to: Ina Garten’s famous Outrageous Brownies. I had been eyeing this recipe for years, captivated by its promise of ultimate fudginess and intense chocolate flavor. Now, armed with the knowledge of coffee’s magical properties, it was the perfect opportunity to finally bake them.
And let me tell you, these brownies live up to their name! They are unbelievably fudgy, exceptionally rich, and bursting with deep, dark chocolate flavor. The subtle addition of coffee granules truly transforms them, adding a layer of sophistication and intensity that would be missing otherwise. Each bite is a luxurious experience, a testament to the power of quality ingredients and a clever flavor booster. It truly makes me wonder what other culinary secrets I’ve been missing out on all these years!
Tips for Achieving Brownie Perfection
While the recipe itself is straightforward, here are a few tips to ensure your Outrageous Brownies turn out absolutely perfect:
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Since chocolate is the star here, invest in good quality semisweet and unsweetened chocolate. It makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor. Fresh butter and large eggs also contribute to the rich texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher, more cake-like brownies rather than fudgy ones.
- The Toothpick Test: When baking, keep a close eye on your brownies. The classic “toothpick comes out clean” rule is slightly different for fudgy brownies. You want it to come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter, but also not completely dry. A dry toothpick means you’ve overbaked them, and they’ll lose their signature fudginess.
- Cool Completely: As tempting as it is to dig into warm brownies, allowing them to cool completely in the pan helps them set properly and develop their dense, fudgy texture. For cleaner cuts, you can even chill them slightly.
- Consider Your Pan Size: The original recipe calls for a 12x18x1 inch jelly roll pan, yielding a large batch. If you’re making a smaller batch, like I did (half the recipe in a 7×10 inch pan), adjust your baking time accordingly. Smaller pans will require slightly longer baking, while a larger, thinner pan will cook faster.
Serving Suggestions and Customization
These Outrageous Brownies are magnificent on their own, but if you’re looking to elevate the experience further, consider these serving and customization ideas:
- Warm with Ice Cream: Serve a warm brownie square with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast of warm and cold, fudgy and creamy, is simply divine.
- A Dusting of Cocoa: For an extra touch of elegance and chocolate intensity, lightly dust cooled brownies with unsweetened cocoa powder before serving.
- Flaky Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the warm brownies just after baking can enhance the chocolate flavor and add a delightful textural contrast.
- Nutty Variations: While the recipe includes walnuts, feel free to experiment with other nuts like pecans or almonds. Toasting them lightly beforehand can enhance their flavor.
- Extra Chocolate Chips: If you’re a true chocolate fiend, you can always sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top of the batter before baking for more melty pockets of goodness.
This recipe has truly been a game-changer for me, not only for its incredible taste but also for breaking down a culinary misconception. It goes to show that sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone, or in my case, embracing an ingredient you typically avoid, can lead to the most delightful discoveries.
Outrageous Brownies
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Ingredients
- 1 pound butter
- 1 pound semisweet chocolate
- 6 oz unsweetened chocolate
- 6 whole large eggs
- 3 Tablespoon instant coffee granules
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups walnuts, chopped
- 1 12oz bag semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 12x18x1 inch jelly roll plan.
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In a large bowl melt together butter, semisweet chocolate, and unsweetened chocolate. Let cool slightly.
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In a separate bowl stir together eggs, coffee granules, vanilla, and sugar. Add the melted chocolate, and stir to combine.
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Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts if using.
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Pour batter into the prepared pan.
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Bake for 15 minutes. Rap the baking sheet against the oven racks to let the air out. Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake.
Notes
I cut the recipe in half and used half size sheet pan (about 7×10 inch pan)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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I hope you try these incredible brownies and experience the magic of coffee-enhanced chocolate for yourself. They truly are an outrageous delight!
Join the #ChocolateParty! Share Your Creations
Are you a fellow chocolate lover or an aspiring baker ready to explore new flavor combinations? We invite you to join our #chocolateparty community! It’s a fantastic way to connect with other food enthusiasts, get inspired, and share your delicious creations. Here’s how you can participate:
- Blog About Your Chocolate Treat: Create a new recipe featuring chocolate, incorporating the specified ingredient of the month (for this round, it was coffee!). Whether it’s a simple no-bake dessert or an elaborate layered cake, your culinary imagination is the only limit.
- Link Back to Our Community: Make sure to include a link back to the Chocolate Party Facebook page in your blog post. You can also optionally display our Chocolate Party logo on your blog post or sidebar to show your participation.
- Publish Within the Current Month: Please ensure your recipe is published during the designated month for the challenge. We kindly ask that you only link new creations, as old recipes will be removed to keep the party fresh and exciting.
We love seeing what amazing chocolate treats everyone comes up with! Don’t miss out on the fun, and discover new ways to enjoy chocolate with our vibrant community. We can’t wait to see your outrageous creations!
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