OUTRAGEOUS BROWNIES!

Be forewarned.
These brownies are not for the faint~at~heart.
In fact.
It takes a big HEART to make these delectable brownies.
They're expensive to make.
These brownies take lots of LOVE and oodles of JOY!
There's only one person I make these for...
and that's my Mother.
If you make these...
make sure the recipient is worthy of the delicious~ness.
You do not want to waste the effort on someone who would just assume enjoy a brownie
baked from a box.
These brownies are scrumptious.
I can remember the very first time I made these brownies for my Mother.
She was spending the week with me when we lived in the cottage under the pine trees.
We were watching The Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network and saw Ina make these.
I remember how anxious we were as they were baking. I had never used instant coffee
in a chocolate recipe before. The brownies were a bit more involved than any other brownies we had ever made. I'll never forget the look on my Mother's face when she indulged in the first bite.
"These are a delicacy."
That's what she said.
Funny thing is...that's what I've always considered my Mother to be...a delicacy of sorts.
Something "delightful or pleasing"...something "rare and luxurious."
My Mother loves the SWEET~treats I bake for her.
There's not a person in this world more appreciative of all that I bake.
There's just one thing that tugs at my heart as I bake for my Mother.
She lives 2600 miles from me...and that's no fun.
These are for you Sweet Mother.
Baked with LOVE straight from the HEART!
I don't know about you...but when I bake for my Mother I like to listen to music that brings
her close to me.

Now let's get to baking!
For these brownies you will need:

*1 pound unsalted butter
*1 pound plus 2 cups semi~sweet chocolate chips {divided}
*6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
*6 x-large eggs
*3 Tablespoons instant coffee powder
*2 Tablespoons real vanilla extract
*2 1/4 cups sugar
*1 1/4 cups sifted flour {divided}
*1 Tablespoon baking powder
*1 teaspoon kosher salt
*3 cups chopped {toasted} walnuts or pecans
Makes: 20 large brownies
*Ina Garten's recipe~directions slightly modified*
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 13" x 18" jellyroll pan.
I used two pans. If you fill the jellyroll pan too full it will over~flow.

Melt the butter~1 pound of the chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate.
***save 2 cups of the chocolate chips***
You can do this in the microwave...in a double boiler...or in a non~stick pan sprayed with PAM.

Keep an eye on this.

Stir as it melts.

Cool slightly. 

Blend together the eggs~instant coffee powder~and vanilla. 

Keep the mixer on a low setting.

Add the sugar.

Blend on low.

Now add the warm chocolate mixture.

Continue to blend on low until combined.

You'll begin to realize this is a really good recipe.

Just wait. 

You'll see. ;)

No one will blame you if you blow the batter a kiss or two.

Believe me...it deserves a few kisses! ;)

Sift 1 cup of flour.

***save 1/4 cup of the flour***

Stir together 1 cup of sifted flour with the baking powder and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mix.

Blend on low.

Blow the batter another KISS or two. :)

KISS yourself.

This is serious JOY happening here!

Take the remaining 2 cups of chocolate chips and the toasted pecans.

Pour the chocolate chips and pecans in a medium sized bowl.

Coat the chocolate chips and pecans with the remaining 1/4 cup of flour.

This is intense...I know...but you can do it!

Do it in the name of LOVE! ;) 

Toss it up.

Make sure the chocolate chips and pecans are coated with flour.

Add the chocolate chips and pecans to the chocolate mix.

Kiss it again!

I won't tell.

There!

All done.

Now it's time to pour up the batter.

Pour out a big clump.

Do not over fill the pan.

Bake the brownies for 30 minutes. 

Or...until tester comes out "barely" clean.

DO NOT OVER BAKE.

Half way through the baking "rap the pan" {Ina's words} against the oven shelf allowing 

air to escape. 

This is intense...I know...WORTH IT! ;)

Cool in pans.

Ina says to refrigerate the brownies before cutting.

I went on a hike and left them on the kitchen island to cool. :)

Cut the brownies into BIG squares.

Serve with freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

~OUTRAGEOUS BROWNIES~

You are sure to fall in love.

Perfect for the holidays.

Enjoy!

xxooxx