Fudgy Brownies

I love this easy brownie recipe.  They're super chewy and fudgy, and they use pantry ingredients.  (Cocoa powder instead of chocolate, which is great for brownies whenever one wants.)  And, you can make the whole recipe in the saucepan you used to melt the butter.  (I love that!)  The original recipe calls for using the microwave, but I prefer to use the stove, it's just as easy and I can control it better.

Fudgy Brownies
adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks or 5 ounces) butter
1 1/4 cups (9 7/8 ounces) sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2 7/8 ounces) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (2 3/8 ounces) all-purpose flour

1.  Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly grease with cooking spray and set aside. (I always skip the foil or parchment with things like brownies- just use cooking spray and a small spatula to get them out.)

2.  Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. 

3.  Set the mixture aside until it cools slightly (is warm to the touch not hot). It will look gritty but it will become smooth once the other ingredients are added.  Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Spread evenly in the pan.

4.  Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack. Cut into squares and serve.

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