Why does chocolate have to be so, SO, good!!??
My husband is the master of all brownies. His dessert speciality has always been an over-the-top, indulgent, chocolate upon chocolate, kind of brownie! In high school he would bring to any party or movie night "his brownies". They usually started with Ghiradelli brownie mix, and he would add chocolate syrup and chocolate chips to the batter!! (So moist and gooey.). If that wasn't enough richness already, he would make a homemade fudge icing recipe that he poured over the top! The icing set up like fudge, and his decadent brownies would be ready to be devoured!
Then, if we wanted to really throw all care to the wind ( I mean why stop there?) we would top it with ice cream for a brownie sundae.
Those were some of the best brownies ever!!!
Note, this was in high school before we knew about any reasonable portion control, haha! Not that I don't indulge now because I do (probably too much at times), but now I try to temper my dessert nights with healthier choices throughout my day.
one thing hasn't changed over the years... my Love still makes some amazing brownies!!
Last week, I was feeling pretty sick with a cold, and he decided to make supper and dessert!! Yes! This man who works hard all day at work came home to help me out with supper.
I am eternally grateful!!!
He found the recipe to Ina Garten's --The Barefoot Contessa-- brownie tart or pie, and he whipped it together. This brownie is b-e-a-utiful! It looks like it came from a bakery.
And it tasted amazing!!!
Gooey and rich. Speckled with walnuts for crunch. Glossed with melted chocolate. Chocolate perfection for a decadent treat! A small slice is all that's needed, since it's so rich. It doesn't have cocoa powder, instead chocolate chips, and there is little flour. All of that makes it extra gooey, almost creamy in the center.
So with Valentines Day coming up, I thought I would share with you our delicious discovery if perhaps you're looking for that chocolate dessert that would be right to end your Valentines Day with! I'm sure your loved ones would appreciate the time you took to make something like this!
I know that we certainly did!!! :)
The Barefoot Contessa's Brownie Pie
Serves 8-10
6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
3 1/4 c. (20 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
3 extra large eggs
1 c. Sugar
1 Tbsp. Instant coffee granules
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. All-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt, kosher salt if you have it
1 c. Walnuts, chopped
2-3 Tbsp. Heavy cream
Grease and flour a 9 inch tart pan with removable sides. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Melt butter in a bowl over simmering water. (A double boiler) Add 2 cups of chocolate chips, remove from heat, and stir with a whisk briskly until the chocolate is melted and glossy. Set aside to cool.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, use a paddle attachment, beat the eggs, sugar, coffee, and vanilla on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the cooled melted chocolate. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, 1 cup of chocolate chips, and walnuts. Fold in the mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the center is puffed (the top may crack). The inside will still be very soft. Cool a little bit before eating if you want it soft and gooey, and cool it all the way if you want a prettier slice. It needs to be mostly cooled before removing tart pan sides.
Melt the remaining 1/4 c. Chocolate chips with cream and drizzle the ganache over the tart. Beautiful!
Ready to devour!
* Note: Please be sure to add the coffee granules. It adds richness and make the chocolate more chocolate-y tasting!! Honest;)
