Kittencal's Extreme Chocolate Brownies

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

if your looking for an everyday run-of-the-mill cake-style brownie then pass this by, this is a a moist chewy extreme chocolate bakery-style brownie that takes little time to make and tastes even better the next day, it's everything a good brownie should be! --- I have even made these using half brown sugar and half white sugar, the amount of sugar listed will give you a sweet brownie you may reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup or more if desired or if you have a sweet tooth use amount stated --- add in a couple of tablespoons of coffee-flavored liqueur in place of the vanilla if desired -- according to a reviewer oil may be used in place of the butter successfully --- these brownies freeze very well, they are so simple to make just mix everything by hand, they bake out so rich and sinful! --- see Kittencal's Chocolate Frosting/Icing

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 36 brownies

• 2/3 cup butter or 2/3 cup margarine
• 1 1/2 cups sugar (reduce to 1-1/4 cups for a less sweeter taste)
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (24 ounces)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Set oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
3. In a heavy saucepan, bring butter, sugar and water to a boil, stirring constantly until the butter is melted and sugar is dissolved (about 3 minutes).
4. Remove from the heat, with a wooden spoon, stir in 2 cups chocolate chips until melted; cool slightly, beat in vanilla.
5. In a mixing bowl,whisk eggs, gradually add in the chocolate mixture, beating with a wooden spoon until completely mixed.
6. Mix together flour, baking soda and salt; add to the egg/chocolate mixture; mix well to combine.
7. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips.
8. Spread into prepared baking pan.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes (don't over bake).
10. Cut into squares.
11. Note: If desired, chopped walnuts may be added.

Reviews

[Food Snob in Israel]

AMAZING! Kept well sitting out for a couple days, too. Our goto brownie recipe! My only caveat is that the edges cook WELL before the center. I read on here this may be because of the chocolate chips. I will need to try with melting them all, next time, to see if that helps. Keep an eye on 'em in the oven and if anyone has any suggestions for a more even cooking, please let me know. (I DID try to cover them while cooking, but it didn't help.)

Edited to add: I've made these several times since. Here are my thoughts:

1. Don't over cook or cook until they look "done." If you do that, it will end up like a very dry cake with all of your chocolate chips on the bottom somewhat dry and slightly burned.

2. Instead, cook the brownies in a LARGE pan (they really rise from all those eggs!) until they no longer shake like jelly in the middle when you shake the pan. Once it's firm enough not to shake, leave them in another minute or two and then take them out! THEY WILL NOT LOOK DONE! But, once they cool, they will firm up into very fudgy ooey gooey brownies that are absolutely heavenly.

3. Enjoy!

[Shopinful Chef]

Wow, I can't believe this great brownie!! I thought I had the perfect brownie but I do believe this is at the top of the list. I do not like cake - like brownies but those soft and chewy and this fits the bill. I omitted 1 cut of chocolate chips at the end and added 1 cut walnuts. Very moist and rich! The office ate them before 10:00 a.m. You will think they are not done when you put a toothpick in them for it will come out wet, but they are done and when cool set up perfect. Thanks for this wonderful recipe!

[Rock Star Mama]

nothing short of amazing. I have not made one Kittencal recipe that hasn't been great. Have you written a book yet? If so I want to buy it, I'm sure all your classics will be in there!