Thursday, May 14, 2009

Shane's Brownies

First I want to say, if you haven't checked out Shane's blog, Culinary Alchemy, you need to head over there right now!

Shane is a fantastic cook... and he's often channeling Alton Brown!

This is another one of his recipes. It makes a very rich, decadent, chocolaty batch of brownies that is sure to satisfy even the most demanding chocolate lover.

Photobucket

Shane's Brownies
12 oz Bitter Sweet Chocolate – 60 – 65%
1 1/2 cups Unsalted Butter
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
A Pinch of Salt
6 Large Eggs
1 1/2 cups Granulated sugar
1/4 cup Light Brown sugar
1 tsp Vanilla extract -or- 1/2 Vanilla bean scraped
1 TB Strong brewed Coffee or 1 tsp Espresso Powder
1 1/2 cups Plus 2 TB AP Flour
1 cup Milk Chocolate chips

Line a 13x9 pan with Parchment paper, leaving an overhang so the brownie slab can be lifted out in 1 piece.
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large sauce pan, melt butter over low heat.
Chop your chocolate for even melting.
Add chopped Chocolate to the melting butter and stir until smooth.
Remove from heat, whisk in cayenne and salt, then set aside to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, whisk eggs and sugars together with vanilla and espresso powder.
Once the chocolate is cooled, begin pouring in the eggs, in a steady stream, into the chocolate, stirring constantly.
This will keep the eggs from curdling.
Your chocolate mixture should thicken slightly once the eggs are incorporated.
Begin folding in the flour, just until combined, lumps are OK. If you mix it too much, your brownies will be more like cake when they are finished baking.
Once the flour is folded in, add the chocolate chips and incorporate with a few quick strokes.
Pour into your prepared pan and, with a spatula, level out your batter making sure to get it into the corners.

Then bake in the oven for 30 – 40 minutes. (5 minutes less for a dark pan)
Brownies are not supposed to be cooked to complete done-ness or they will be dry. You will know they are done when the top becomes shiny and mottled and a toothpick inserted should come out with fudgy crumbs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So I really just followed Shane's recipe... no tweaking.

I weighed out a combination of 70% chocolate & baking squares (54% I think)
Going heavy on the 70%
Photobucket

Photobucket

Melt the butter... then add chopped chocolate.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Mmmmm.... melty...
Photobucket

Whisk in cayenne and set aside to cool.
(I didn't add salt, because I typically have salted butter)
Photobucket

Whisk eggs and sugars together with vanilla and espresso powder.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

When the chocolate has cooled, begin pouring in the eggs, in a steady stream, into the chocolate, stirring constantly.
Looks like no action shot here!
Photobucket

Begin folding in the flour, just until combined, lumps are OK. If you mix it too much, your brownies will be more like cake when they are finished baking.
Photobucket

I used a whisk... but wasn't really 'whisking'.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Fold in the chocolate chips.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Pour evenly into your prepared baking dish.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Then bake in the oven for 30 – 40 minutes. (5 minutes less for a dark pan)
Brownies are not supposed to be cooked to complete done-ness or they will be dry. You will know they are done when the top becomes shiny and mottled and a toothpick inserted should come out with fudgy crumbs.
Photobucket

Photobucket

These were great!

Next time I'd probably throw in a big handful of coarsely chopped walnuts.
Photobucket

This is for you Shane!

12 comments:

Donna-FFW said...

These sound terrific and OMG so delicious! Cayenne pepper.. nice! I will head on over to that blog. Thanks for the heads up!

Lara said...

These look SO rich and SO good! I wouldn't mind trying a little of that dough either. :)

noble pig said...

Oh these sound awesome, I mean I LOVE brownies and cayenne!

Bob said...

I had been meaning to make these when I saw them last, thanks for the reminder. They look amazing.

Heather S-G said...

These look so killer!!! That's the kind of espresso powder I have, too...hmmm, must be a sign ;) Love your little "tried your recipe" badge!!

Anonymous said...

Well crap Spryte...I've been working my fingers to the BONE on low fat, heart healthy recipes...and you do THIS to me? How could you???? I think I need a brownie break!

Dajana said...

Haven't had any brownies in such a long time, and I have to do a lot of baking this weekend, so I think I'll include them to my list.
DD, you could use butter with lower fat and cholesterol content, like I do (so I don't feel guilty too much), ha,ha, and dark chocolate is good for heart (if you eat 7gramms a day)

Dana Fallentine said...

I loved all the pictures! Looks delicious!

Reeni said...

Those look rich and decadent and so delicious!

Teanna said...

Mmmm espresso and cayenne pepper in the brownie!? I'd be jumping off the walls - from happiness! Those look so good!

What's Cookin Chicago said...

I'll have to try this - it looks wonderful!

Unknown said...

I have been searching for a delicious brownie recipe. This one looks like it will do the trick! Love your blog!!!