Monday, April 21, 2008

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Fudge Brownies



There are two schools of thought when it comes to brownies. Some like them cakey, others prefer fudgy. I'm a fence sitter. Some modern brownies can be so dense that they resemble a decadent candy more than a baked good. Some old fashioned ones are so cakey that they lack the intense chocolate flavor and texture that serious brownie lovers demand. I've twisted and toyed with brownie recipes for over a decade until I finally had my Aha! moment. These brownies are cakelike with a tender crumb (thanks to the buttemilk) but have pockets of dense chocolate (thanks to the chocolate chips). Make them tonight and you'll never be tempted to make one of those pricey, vapid boxed mixes again!

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Brownies
Estimated Cost Per Large Batch: $5.75
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 and 1/2 cups flour, plus 1/4 cup, divided
generous pinch of salt
1 and 1/2 cups chocolate chips, preferably milk chocolate
2 cups coarsely chopped pecans (optional)
powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. In a large microwaveable bowl, place chocolate and butter. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. Stir to combine. Repeat process until chocolate and butter are melted and smoothed, being careful not to scorch chocolate. Stir in sugar and mix well. Add eggs, buttemilk, and vanilla and mix until well combined. Stir in 1 and 1/2 cups flour and salt. In a separate small bowl, combine chocolate chips and remaining 1/4 cup flour. Pour chocolate chips (and any flour from bowl) into brownie mixture. Mix until just combined. Pour brownie batter into prepared baking dish. (If using nuts, sprinkle them over the top.) Bake brownies for 28-33 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center has a few fudgy crumbs. Let cool for at least ten minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve. Want another reason to make these brownies tonight? Check out Little Cowboy with his spoon.


6 comments:

MK and Co. said...

Dear Erin,
This is Bella Kate. Your brownies look so good. Chocolate. I love you. I want to go to your house. Bye!

nickandstaci said...

Hi, I found your blog from Michal. I just had to try your brownies out. My husband and I fight over brownie recipes. I made them today and they were the perfect combo for both of us. Very yummy!
I can't wait to try more of your receipes. Everything looks so yummy!

judi.0044 said...

I baked these up this afternoon. They came out perfect - moist and delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe - it's a keeper! I left out nuts but put 1/3 cup of brandy-soaked dried cherries for all the adults who will share.

Barbara Bakes said...

This sounds like the perfect brownie recipe. Thanks for sharing it!

Kiera said...

We fed these to our missionaries tonight! They were a perfect finally to our meal! Thanks for sharing your sweet piece of chocolate heaven with us!

Michal said...

i just realized that i had never left a comment here. these have become my standard brownies since you posted this recipe. i make them as often as i can get away with it and still live with myself. i sincerely hope that we have brownies in heaven--and much better metabolism!:)