Cakey Cocoa Brownies






Date: Sunday, August 27th
Time: 10:00 PM
Scene: Brian and me slumped on the couch, watching
The Dead Zone
(yes, we like bad TV)

Brian:
I feel like eating something sweet.

Pause

Brian: Is there any ice cream?

Me: No.

Pause

Brian: You don't think the store's open, do you?

Me: No.

Pause

Brian: Do we have anything sweet?

Me: No.

Commercial. Brian gets up, rummages aimlessly through the pantry and returns.

Brian: I'm going to make brownies!

Me: Do you know how to make brownies?

Brian, hesitantly: I think I can figure it out .  .  .

I find the recipe and hand it to him. Brian disappears into the kitchen.

Brian, calling from the kitchen: Um, how much are twelve tablespoons of butter?

I sigh, pause The Dead Zone (what would we do without DVRs?) and follow Brian into the kitchen.

It's late at night, your sweet tooth kicks in—what's a guy (or gal) to do? If you're like us, you don't keep sweets in the house, still wedded to the delusion that such a policy will promote weight loss. Cookies are too labor intensive to be a satisfying quick fix. Ditto with most cakes—I often don't have all the ingredients around, anyway. And sometimes fruit just doesn't cut it. But brownies are ideal for desperate situations. They require some time in the oven, true, but active prep time is just minutes. And the reward? Couldn't be more satisfying.

This recipe is based on the brownies my mom used to make when I was growing up. I've doubled the ingredients for a thicker end product, upped the cocoa powder a bit, and added espresso powder for a slight bitter edge. These are cakey, crumbly, and not terribly rich as far as brownies go;  if you're a fan of the chewy, fudgey variety, they may not be for you. But in my book, they are perfect: homey, comforting, a sweet trip back to childhood.


BROWNIES

2 cups sugar
12 tablespoons butter
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
8 tablespoons cocoa powder
6 tablespoons hot water
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 teaspoons espresso powder
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine ingredients, except for powdered sugar. Pour into 8" x 8" pan. Bake for about 55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.


Category: Sweets

Copyright (c) 2007 Sarah Kiino  www.avenuefood.com

 

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