Katharine Hepburn's Brownies

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A version of this recipe accompanied an interview with the actress Katharine Hepburn in the August 1975 issue of The Ladies' Home Journal. This brownie recipe, which calls for the smallest amount of flour, produces incredibly chewy bars with a full but mellow chocolate flavor.

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Ingredients

  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
  • 2 squares unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 325°. Grease an 8" x 8" baking pan with butter. Line the pan with parchment paper; grease the paper. Set the pan aside.

2. Melt the butter and the chocolate together in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir to make a smooth batter. Add the walnuts, flour, and salt; stir until incorporated. Pour the batter into the baking pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40–45 minutes. Let cool on a rack. Cut and serve.

MAKES 9 BROWNIES
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REVIEWS:

I have been making them for years and they are really wonderful.

I first came across this recipe in the new york cookbook, and it's been a favorite ever since. I agree with one reviewer that you can reasonably substitute cocoa powder (the better quality the better your brownies, as with all chocolate) for the unsweetened chocolate - try 3-4 t. I also like a handful of raisins thrown in, with or without the walnuts.

I wanted to try cocoa so I added 1/4 cup more flour, cut out the walnuts and use Hershey's cocoa and butter instead of chocolate. The result was very light, fluffy and with a pleasing amount of cocoa flavor. I've never made brownies from scratch, despite being an avid baker and cook. Now I'm hooked!

This is an excellent recipe. A huge hit with my family and friends

There's really is no need to use a box when you have a recipe like this. They are definitely my go-to brownies.

These brownies are absolute perfection. I've tried many brownie recipes over the years but this one definitely takes the cake! I make them a lot here in Japan where people prefer their sweets with subtle sweetness and they are always a hit.

DELICIOUS! These are the reason people love brownies!!

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