Maida Heater's Intense Fudgy Brownies

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (35 grams)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate or 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup toasted and chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans (50 grams) (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (8 grams)
• 1/3 cup sour cream (regular not low fat, 80 grams)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 300 degrees f (150 degrees c) and place rack in center of oven.
• 2 prepare an 8 by 8 by 2 inch (20 x 20 x 5 cm) pan by lining the pan with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.
• 3 coat pan with room temperature butter, approximately 1 tablespoon (14 grams).
• 4 can also line across the bottom and up 2 opposite sides with parchment paper.
• 5 in a bowl place the flour, baking powder, and salt and sift or whisk to combine.
• 6 set aside.
• 7 chop the chocolate in small pieces (can use a food processor) and set aside.
• 8 in a small bowl beat the eggs, vanilla, and sour cream just to mix; set aside.
• 9 in a medium sized saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter.
• 10 add the sugar and stir until sugar is partially melted.
• 11 then add the chocolate and stir until the chocolate has melted.
• 12 transfer to large mixing bowl.
• 13 stir in egg mixture, then the sifted dry ingredients.
• 14 if the mixture is not perfectly smooth, beat it briefly with electric mixer (i use a hand mixer).
• 15 stir in nuts, if using.
• 16 pour into the baking pan and smooth top.
• 17 bake for about 50- 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out almost (but not completely) clean.
• 18 remove from oven and let stand at room temperature until cool.
• 19 note: these are best chilled overnight.
• 20 remove from pan by inverting on a cutting board and then re-inverting it onto a plate.
• 21 chill brownies completely before cutting.
• 22 these freeze very well.