Show me a decadent, freshly-made cupcake and I could take it or leave it, but hand me a warm chunk-filled brownie (or chocolate chip cookie if we’re being honest) and I turn to mush. Something about the dense, rich chocolate that comes with each bite is almost enough to drive me to eat a whole pan – yet subsequently not fitting into my pants just barely prevents this from happening.
Determined to find a way to meet in the middle – between absolute indulgence and brownie deprivation – I turned again to my handy Cooks Illustrated cookbook for a lightened version that wouldn’t compromise flavor. While I admit it’s not as over the top as what you might find at say Ghirardelli Square’s Chocolate Shop in San Francisco, this brownie definitely satisfies the craving. Plus, since this recipe calls for just 2 tablespoons of butter rather than the 10 tablespoons usually called upon when making brownies, you’ll have a great excuse to pair these with some non-fat vanilla frozen yogurt!
Makes 12 squares
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 tablespoon warm water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon ground coffee beans (or 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk cocoa, water, vanilla, and coffee grinds. Next microwave the butter and chopped chocolate together in a medium size microwavable bowl, about 1 minute or until melted, then whisk together (it’s faster than doing it over the stove!) Then, whisk in sugar and salt into the butter/chocolate mixture. Next add in the cocoa mixture, then the egg. Lightly stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated and add the walnuts if desired.
Pour the batter into a 8-inch square baking pan lined with foil (makes for easy clean up) and bake 18- 20 minutes. Cool, lift foil out of pan and cut into squares, then enjoy.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Soooo making these for the big game this weekend! You always seem to be able to make me drool with all of your amazing tasty treats
Christina made these yummy chocolate treats for us during a recent stay, oh so good with a glass of milk. Four thumbs up!
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