Double Chocolate Brownies Recipe (+ Bonus How to Make Vanilla Extract)

 

I meant to get started a while ago on this year's big project (last year it was Mormon Muffins) but--big surprise--life got in the way. Still, I finally had a chance to get started on the first recipe and wow--were these brownies worth the wait! The challenge I've given myself is to complete at least 12 (preferably all 15) of Martha Stewart Living's "15 Years of Delicious Desserts," as seen in this issue (Feb 2006):

  

Why did I choose these particular recipes? Because they all looked so good and there were several I've never tried making before or wouldn't normally make (donuts, layer cakes, semifreddo...) And really--who wouldn't love a challenge with delicious rewards? I hope you enjoy coming along for the ride (and that you're inspired to do some baking yourself)! Click photos to enlarge... 

The goods:  

Dutch process cocoa makes these brownies extra rich: 

  

My chocolate had a little bloom (discoloration) happening but it's fine to still use it and it worked out well:  

Melting the chocolate and butter in my version of a double boiler (bowl over a pot of simmering water):

  

Melty goodness:  

A pile of white powder only a baker could get excited about: 

  

In the foreground is a bottle of my Homemade Vanilla Extract. It's ridiculously easy to make too: Cut open a few vanilla beans (you can get them inexpensively online); put in a glass bottle; fill bottle with alcohol (I like brandy but you can also use vodka, whiskey, or even rum); let steep for about 6 weeks; use as needed. As you use the extract replenish the alcohol (you don't need to let it sit for another 6 weeks before using again). It smells amazing and it's ultimately cheaper than buying real vanilla extract. Also, the longer it sits the better it gets.

  

Sugar, eggs, and vanilla... 

 

Beat for about four minutes... 

 

...until creamy and pale:  

Mix in the chocolate:  

Add the dry ingredients:

  

Batter up!  

Before baking:  

Baked. Doesn't look a lot different, does it? But I like how the parchment paper gives it the appearance of a gift!  

OMG deliciousness... 

 

Double-Chocolate Brownies

[My notes/changes in brackets]

Makes 8

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate [you can spend more on higher quality chocolate but Baker's brand actually works very well]
• 1/4 cup best-quality unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Coat with cooking spray; set aside.  

Melt together butter, chocolate, and cocoa in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat. Stir until smooth; let cool slightly.  

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. 

Put eggs, sugar, and vanilla into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat until pale, about 4 minutes. Beat in chocolate mixture. Add flour mixture; beat until just combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.  

Transfer batter to prepared pan, and smooth top with an offset spatula [I don't have one so I used a rubber spatula. Messier but still okay]. 

Bake until a cake tester inserted into brownie between edge and center comes out with a few crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes. (Do not overbake.) 

Let cool 15 minutes; lift out of pan, and transfer to a wire rack. Let cool completely. Cut into 8 rectangles. 

Brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days [if they last that long]. 

Original recipe here.  

My Verdict: So good. These are amazing, properly fudgy brownies (I don't get the point of cakey brownies) with a crisp, crumbly crust. I wouldn't change a thing about them except, if I'm feeling particularly decadent, to add some vanilla ice cream on the side (or just go for broke and throw on ice cream, whipped cream, and some salted caramel sauce). 

If the rest of the "15 best" recipes are half as good as these brownies I'd say this year's project will be a brilliant success. Highly recommended that you make these. Now.  

Photos by Whimsy Bower

[Edited to update title, links, and for formatting and clarity. Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com]

Spring in My Step

Ah, January--garden catalogue month. I both enjoy and dread going through the catalogues. Enjoy for obvious reasons, dread because I always go overboard. I'd buy enough seeds and plants for ten gardens if I could (now there's an idea...) 

Putting my wishlist together as spring s-l-o-w-l-y approaches, I thought I'd share some of the goodies that are tempting me at the moment. I know I'll eventually have to seriously edit this list, but for now I'll just pretend I've got all ten of those gardens...   

FLOWERS, Annual 

Angelonia, Serena  

Asclepias, Silky Formula 

Aster, Powderpuff Bouquet  

Bachelor Buttons, Double Ball Mix  

Bells of Ireland (Molucella laevis)  

Brachycome, Swan River  

Calendula, Apricot Twist  

Calendula, Indian Prince  

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)  

California Poppy, Copper Pot  

California Poppy, Double Apricot Chiffon 

California Poppy, Jelly Beans  

California Poppy, Mission Bells 

California Poppy, Rosa Romantica  

Calla, Black Star  

Calla, Regal Purple 

Carnation, Picotee Fantasy 

Celosia, Romantica 

Cosmos, Carpet Formula  

Cosmos, Rubenza  

Cosmos, Snow Puff  

Dahlia, Bristol Stripe  

Dahlia, Hy Pimento  

Dahlia, Karma Choc  

Dahlia, Thomas Edison  

Dahlia, Tricolore  

Daisy

Candytuft, Fairy  

Datura, Ballerina Purple  

Dianthus, Double French Frills  

Dianthus, Fandango Purple Picotee  

Eustoma, Twinkle  

Felicia, The Blues  

Five Spot (Nemophila maculata) 

Flax, Bright Eyes  

Flowering Cabbage, Pink Crane  

Flowering Cabbage, Rose Crane  

Flowering Kale, Osaka 

Four o' Clocks, Broken Colours  

Godetia, Azalea Flowered  

Gourd, Goblin Eggs 

Honeywort/Cerinthe, Kiwi Blue  

Linum, Charmer Mixture 

Lobelia, Riviera Blue Splash  

Marigold, Bonanza Flame  

Marigold, Safari 

Marigold, Vanilla  

Mignonette, Sweet Scented  

Moonflower

Morning Glory, Blue Picotee  

Morning Glory, Carnivale di Venezia  

Morning Glory, Dacapo Light Blue  

Nasturtium, Dwarf Jewel  

Nasturtium, Ladybird Cream Purple Spot  

Nasturtium, Out of Africa  

Nasturtium, Tall Climbing 

Nemesia, Carnival  

Nemophila, Penny Black  

Nicotiana, Perfume  

Nicotiana, Saratoga  

Nicotiana, Sensation 

Nigella, African Bride  

Ornamental Kale, Crane Series Rose  

Ornamental Kale, Sunrise Flowering 

Pansy, Nature Hybrid  

Pansy, Nature 'Mulberry Shades'  

Pansy, Frizzle Swizzle Yellow-Blue Swirl  

Poppy, Ballerina  

Poppy, Double Shirley  

Poppy, Falling in Love  

Poppy, Flanders Field  

Poppy, Mother of Pearl  

Poppy, Peony Mixed  

Portulaca, Margarita Peppermint  

Ranunculus  

Rudbeckia, Cherry Brandy  

Scutellaria Veranda 

Snapdragon, Light Pink Butterfly  

Sunflower, Claret  

Sunflower, Dorado  

Sunflower, Earthwalker  

Sunflower, Fantasia 

Sunflower, Moulin Rouge  

Sunflower, Summertime 

Sunflower, Velvet Queen  

Sweet Pea, Bijou  

Sweet Pea, Cupani  

Sweet Pea, Incense  

Sweet Pea, Lemon and Lime  

Sweet Pea, Melody  

Sweet Pea, Ocean Foam  

Sweet Pea, Pastel Sunset  

Sweet Pea, Pot Perfume  

Sweet Pea, Red Rover  

Sweet Pea, Species Mixed 

Sweet Pea, Streamers  

Toloache, Evening Fragrance  

Viola, Erlyn Lemon/Blue Wing 

Wallflower  

Zinnia, Candy Cane  

Zinnia, Envy  

Zinnia, Giants of California  

Zinnia, Queen Red-Lime  

Zinnia, sun series Sunshine  

Zinnia, Thumbelina 

Zinnia, Uproar Rose FLOWERS, Perennial & Biennial

Achillea/Yarrow, Cassis  

Asclepias/Butterfly Milkweed  

Asiatic Lily, Olina Tango  

Aster, Purple Dome  

Astilbe, Color Splash  

Astilbe, Grande  

Astilbe, Mighty Pip  

Bellflower, La Belle  

Bergenia, Red Beauty  

Blue Wild Indigo  

Campanula/Canterbury Bells  

Cerastium, Snow-in-Summer  

Columbine, Lime Sorbet  

Columbine, Miss MI Huish  

Columbine, Origami Blue and White  

Columbine, Winky Double Blue and White  

Coneflower, Purple  

Creeping Thyme (groundcover)  

Daisy, Gloriosa Marmalade  

Daylily, Lavender Blue Eyes  

Delphinium, Starlight  

Foxglove, Camelot  

Foxglove, Candy Mountain  

Foxglove, Excelsior  

Gaillardia, Arizona Red Shades  

Globe Flower, Alabaster  

Heuchera, Melting Fire  

Hollyhocks, Fiesta Time  

Iceland Poppy, Flamenco  

Jacob's Ladder 

Laceflower, Graceland  

Leopard Lily 

Lily of the Valley, Pink  

Monarda, Panorama  

Malva, Zebrina  

Oriental Poppy, Checkers  

Oriental Poppy, Coral Reef  

Peony, Victoire de la Marne  

Phlox, Aureole 

Phlox, Tiara  

Poppy, Garden Gnome  

Pyrethrum, Painted Daisy  

Rose, Konigin Von Danemark  

Rose, La Reine Victoria  

Rose, Mme. Hardy 

Rose, Rose de Rescht  

Rose, Salet  

Rudbeckia, Cherry Brandy  

Rudbeckia, PowWow Wildberry  

Russian Sage, Little Spire  

Sage, Violet  

Species Lily, Black Beauty  

Sweet William, Giant Single  

Sweet William, Messenger  

Tiger Lily, Iowa Rose  

Visnaga, Casablanca  

 

HERBS  

Andrographis  

Anise-Hyssop  

Basil, African Spice  

Basil, Blue Spice 

Basil, Dolly  

Basil, Green Globe 

Basil, Lesbos  

Basil, Medinette  

Basil, Oriental Breeze  

Basil, Purple Bush 

Basil, Purple Ruffles  

Basil, Rosie 

Basil, Sweet Dani Lemon  

Basil, Sweet Salad  

Bergamot, Rose Scented  

Calamus 

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)  

Caraway  

Chives, Kobold Garlic  

Chives, Nelly  

Chives, Profusion  

Cilantro, Leisure  

Cilantro, Pot  

Cilantro, Santo 

Clary  

Clove-Pink  

Clover, Dragon's Blood 

Comfrey, Bocking 14  

Fennel, Bronze 'Smokey'  

Fish Mint, Chameleon  

Flax, Blue  

Geranium, Almond  

Geranium, Apple  

Geranium, Brilliant  

Geranium, Charity  

Geranium, Clorinda  

Geranium, Coconut  

Geranium, Frensham Lemon  

Geranium, Joy Lucille  

Geranium, Lemon Sculpture  

Geranium, Nutmeg  

Geranium, Peacock  

Geranium, Prince of Orange  

Geranium, Strawberry 

Ginger, Wild  

Heartseed  

La Lot 

Lavender, Blue Cushion 

Lavender, Blue Rider  

Lavender, Gros Bleu  

Lavender, Provence  

Lavender, Provence Blue 

Lavender, Sachet  

Lavender, Super 

Licorice, Miniature Silver  

Mallow, Mauritian  

Meadowsweet  

Mignonette  

Mint, Banana  

Mint, Berries & Cream 

Mint, Candy Lime  

Mint, Citrus Kitchen  

Mint, Cotton Candy  

Mint, Fruitasia  

Mint, Fruit Sensations  

Mint, Moroccan  

Mint, Orange 

Mint, Peppermint  

Mint, Sweet Pear 

Mint, Wintergreen 

Oregano, Decorative 

Oregano, Herrenhausen  

Oregano, Kent Beauty  

Orris  

Parsley, Afrodite  

Pennyroyal, Spice Ball 

Perilla  

Pink, Sweet  

Rosemary, Barbeque  

Rosemary, Foxtail 

Rosemary, Gorizia  

Rosemary, Huntington Carpet  

Rosemary, Santa Barbara 

Saffron  

Sage, Fruit 

Sage, Grape Scented  

Sage, Honey Melon  

Sage, Hummingbird  

Sage, Painted  

Sage, Purple  

Sage, Raspberry Royale  

Savory, Lemon  

Savory, Summer  

Savory, Summer 'Midget'  

Stevia, Crazy Sweet  

Thyme, Caraway  

Thyme, Lavender  

Thyme, Lemon  

Thyme, Magic Carpet Lemon  

Thyme, Minus  

Thyme, Nutmeg  

Thyme, Orange Spice  

Thyme, Rose Petal  

Vervain, Blue  

Waterpepper  

Wintergreen, Very Berry  

 

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES  

Angel Hair  

Bunny's Tails  

Eragrostis  

 

TREES & SHRUBS  

Amur Maple 'Superior Red'  

Cherry, Romeo (sour)  

Elderberry, Giant Pie  

 

VEGGIES & FRUITS  

Beans:  

Purple Teepee, Rocquencourt, Royal Burgundy, Senegalese Purple-Speckled Cowpea, Fort Portal Jade Bean 

Beets: Cylindra, Chioggia, Albino (all heirloom varieties) 

Blueberry: Patio, Northern Bilberry  

Carrots: Nantes Coreless, Rainbow Blend, Atomic Red, Cosmic Purple, Sweetness, Rainbow Hybrid, Nelson  

Cucumbers: Chicago Pickling, Wisconsin 'SMR-58', Mathilde, Lemon, Alibi, Cool Breeze, Diva, Iznik Hybrid, Salad Bush Hybrid  

Garlic: Inchelium Red, Lorz Italian, Belarus, Fireball, McEwen Red, Purple Glazer, Society Garlic  

Greens: Italian Dandelion, Corn Salad/Lamb's Lettuce, Bright Lights Chard, Long Standing Bloomsdale Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Red Russian Kale, Garland (Chrysanthemum coronarium), Peppergrass, Mizuna, Red Flash Orach Atriplex, Green Purslane, Profusion Sorrel, Red Giant Mustard, Tendergreen Mustard, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Sylvetta/Wild Arugula  

Leek: Bandit  

Lettuce: Grand Rapids, Royal Red, Salad Bowl, Buttercrunch, Baby Leaf Blend, Baby Star (Mini Romaine), Esmerelda, Yugoslavian Red Butterhead, Pearl, Rushmore, Sangria, Dixter, Ice Queen, Black Seeded Simpson  

Misc: Goji Berry, Fig 'Hardy Chicago', Rampion, Japanese Eggplant  

Okra: Red Burgundy  

Onions: Spanish, Walla Walla, Southport White Globe, Red Baron Bunching, Yellow Sweet Spanish, Gourmet Shallots, Yellow Dutch, Borrettana  

Peas: Homesteader, Little Marvel, Green Arrow (love the name)  

Peppers: Sweet Pimento, Jalapeno, Medusa, Pepper Pot Little Blue, Fooled You, Holy Mole, Gypsy, MiniApple, Black Pearl, Thai Chile, Bull's Horn of Carmagnola  

Potatoes: Purple Caribe, Kennebec Seed Potato Planter (Going to have to get at least two of these!)  

Radishes: Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Red Meat, Purple Plum, China White, Round Black Spanish, Fire Candle, Ostergruss Rosa, Blauer Herbst, Easter Egg, Sora  

Raspberry: Purple Royalty  

Rhubarb: Strawberry Red  

Root Parsley: Hamburg  

Squash: Honey Bear (winter), Sungreen (summer), Partenon Hybrid (summer), Black Beauty (summer), Waltham Butternut (winter)  

Strawberry: Temptation, Kent  

Tomatoes: Cabernet, Sweetie, Ground Cherry, Cherokee Purple, Black Cherry, Balcony Charm, Black Krim, Honeybee, Sugar Plum, Sunsugar, Tumbler, Viva Italia, Alegra, Siderno, Golden Shine, Super Sweet 100  

 

UNUSUAL 

Ornamental Eggplant/Pumpkin on a Stick  

Mouse Melon 

Tea (Camellia sinensis) 

Wasabi 

You know, I think I could actually manage to include all these plants in my garden if I make use of the front and the back yards. Now I just need to convince the SO to dig up the lawn... 

Photos from top to bottom: Rainbow Blend Carrots, DaCapo Light Blue Morning Glory, Bells of Ireland, Black Star Calla, Five Spot, Sunrise Ornamental Flowering Kale, Double Shirley Poppy, Riviera Blue Splash Lobelia, Species Sweet Pea, Sunshine Zinnia, Margarita Peppermint Portulaca, Azalea Flowered Godetia, Starlight Delphinium, Olina Tango Asiatic Lily, Candy Mountain Foxglove, Double Winky Blue and White Columbine, Lime Sorbet Columbine, Konigin Von Danemark Rose, Victoire de la Marne Peony, Purple Bush Basil, Mauritian Mallow, Chameleon Fish Mint, Prince of Orange Geranium, Super Lavender, Herrenhausen Oregano, Magic Carpet Lemon Thyme, Bunny's Tails Ornamental Grass, Albino Beet, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Goji Berry, Red Baron Bunching Onion, Red Meat Radish, and Golden Shine Tomato.

 

[Edited to delete dead links, and for formatting. Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com]