Ultimate Brownies

Brenda and I have tried a few different homemade brownie recipes over the years, and none of them could get us to switch from using a box mix... until now!  After making these the first time, we will never go back to a box mix.

This recipe is inspired by Ina Garten's outrageous brownie recipe.  The coffee really enhances the chocolate flavor.  I have cut the recipe down, and simplified it a bit.  

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 11 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 Tbs instant coffee granules
• 3 large eggs
• 1 Tbs vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 Tbs baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 2 Tbs flour

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

• Butter and flour a 9 x 13 x 1-inch baking sheet.

• Melt together the butter, instant coffee granules and 11 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.

• In a medium bowl, sift together 1/2 cup of flour, baking powder and salt; add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and remaining chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 2 Tbs flour, then add them to the chocolate batter.

• Spread batter evenly in the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then knock the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the batter. Bake for approximately 15 minutes more until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake!