Chewy Chocolate Brownies

For Christmas this year I received an awesome new brownie pan; it's one of those individual brownie pans, sort of like a muffin tin, and it ensures that each brownie has the optimal amount of "edge" that everyone loves :) Thanks Kathy!




Receiving this pan made me realize the lack of brownie love at Paula's Plate, so I thought I would share with you my favorite go-to brownie recipe. Moist, rich, and chewy, these chocolate brownies are truly a treat. They are bursting with chocolate flavor but not cloyingly sweet, thus rendering them ideal both frosted or unfrosted; both ways are delicious! I did not frost mine this time around - I was too lazy to individually frost 12 different brownies - but if you make the recipe in a standard 9x9 pan, it goes much quicker. (Frosting recipe follows below) That being said, a pretty dusting of powdered sugar on top is equally as wonderful and also quite pretty! Enjoy!

Paula's Notes: This recipe is made with cocoa powder rather than chocolate chips, which is my preferred method as of late. I often make these brownies with regular Hershey's cocoa, but this time around I experimented with Hershey's Extra Dark. Both versions are nice and chocolatey, but if you're looking for true chocolate indulgence, go for the extra dark.

What is your favorite way to make brownies? Do you fight for the edges of the pan, too? Let me know below!

Chewy Chocolate Brownies

Yields: 12
Time: Start to finish ~ 1 hour
Ingredients:
Brownies:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (regular or extra dark as noted above)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

• 3 tbls butter - softened
• 3 tbls unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbls honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
Brownies:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Spray a 9x9 inch pan with cooking spray.
3. Whisk together 1/3 cup cocoa, flour, salt, and baking powder.
4. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter.
5. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla.
6. Beat in dry ingredients.
7. Spread batter into prepared pan.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, being careful not to overcook.

Frosting:

1. Combine 3 tbls butter, 3 tbls cocoa, 1 tbls honey, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 cup powdered sugar. 
2. Frost brownies while they are still warm.
3. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk.

Recipe from Allrecipes