Classic Brownies

By ezunich

Ingredients

• 1 cup (4 ounces) pecans or walnuts, chopped medium (optional)
• 1 1/4 cups (5 oz) cake flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 6 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into six 1-inch pieces
• 2 1/4 cups (15 3/4 ounces) sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbs vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

1. Adjust oyen rack to middle position; heat oven to 325°. Cut 18 inch length foil and fold lengthwise to 8 inch width. Fit foil into length of 13 by 9 inch baking dish, pushing it into corners and up sides of pan; allow excess to overhang pan edges. Cut 14 inch length foil and, if using extra wide foil, fold lengthwise to 12 inch width; fit into width of baking pan in same manner, perpendicular to first sheet. Spray foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. If using nuts, spread nuts evenly on rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. Whisk to combine flour, salt, and baking powder in medium bowl: set aside.

4. Melt chocolate and butter in large heatproof bowl set over saucepan of almost simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. (Alternately, in microwave heat butter and chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on high for 45 seconds, then stir and heat for 30 seconds more. Stir again, and, if necessary, repeat in 15 second increments; do not let chocolate bum. When chocolate mixture is completely smooth, remove bowl from saucepan and gradually whisk in sugar. Add eggs one at time, whisking after each addition until thoroughly combined. Whisk in vanilla. Add flour mixture in three additions, folding with rubber spatula until batter is completely smooth and homogeneous.

5. Transfer batter to prepared pan; using spatula, spread batter into corners of pan and smooth surface. Sprinkle toasted nuts (if using) evenly over batter and bake until tootllpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of brownies comes out with few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes, Cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours, then remove brownies from pan by lifting foil overhang, Cut brownies into 2 inch squares and serve, (Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.)