Fudge Brownies

Smooth as silk, chocolate and butter mixed together (perfect harmony)

These brownies are not especially good for you (wait until you see the ingredients list - yikes!), but they sure taste great! I really need to start picking less calorie packing recipes or I might just start looking like a small blimp! Anyway as I was saying, if you don't mind all the calories, these brownies are the perfect little indulgence. Even better if you want to fob them off on a family member or friend I see no harm, I won't tell (haha!).

The brownies have the perfect fudgy center that practically melts in your mouth, and it helps that they are a breeze to make. Absolutely one of my favorites to indulge in.

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 oz (280 g) unsweetened chocolate
• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) unsalted butter
• 8 eggs
• 4 cups (1 L) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (500 mL) coarsely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)

These irresistible brownies have crispy tops and fudgy centres. They freeze beautifully. Tuck one or two frozen brownies into your lunch bag -- they'll be thawed by noon. 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly butter 2 (9x13-in./3-L) baking pans. Coarsely chop chocolate. Cut butter into cubes. Place chocolate and butter in a large saucepan set over medium-low heat. Stir often, until chocolate is almost melted, 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Or place in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on medium until chocolate is almost melted, 4 minutes. Stir halfway through.
2. Crack eggs into a bowl. Whisk until evenly blended. Stir sugar into warm chocolate mixture in saucepan. Then add eggs and whisk until smooth. Stir in salt and vanilla. Gradually stir in flour just until mixed. Stir in nuts. Divide between prepared pans. Smooth tops. Bake in centre of preheated 350F (180C) oven until tops are crackly and cake tester inserted in centre comes out almost clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans on a rack before cutting. Slice into squares.

After sugar was added

Just about to go in the oven

All done

Please excuse the rather wonky looking 'All done' photo. It seems that the top of the brownies cracked a bit and someone may have gone a little bit crazy with the toothpicks...

xxx