This recipe comes directly off the package of Guittard’s Extra Dark Chocolate Chips (63% cacao). They are available in my local supermarket. I have never tried the recipe with any other type of chip, but I imagine it would be perfectly successful.
These are called “truffle” brownies because, as the package says, “The dense and creamy texture is more like a confection than a brownie.” And indeed it is. The recipe is very easy to make, and you don’t even need to break out the mixer—just a small amount of hand mixing, and you’re done.
This isn’t an eat-right-out-of-the-oven recipe. You’ll need a little patience to let the brownies set up properly. They must cool to room temperature and then be refrigerated until they are cold before cutting. If you make them in the morning, you can enjoy them that night. But if you make them in the afternoon, better wait until the next day to dive in.
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1-2/3 cups (10 ounces) Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate Chips *
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsifted all-purpose flour
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325º F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil, leaving edges long enough to easily use as handles to lift contents out after baking.
Heat chocolate, butter, and water in a large microwave-safe bowl at medium power (50% or level 5) for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring well after 1 minute and then at 30-second intervals until smooth and all of the chocolate is melted. With a wooden spoon, beat in the sugar, salt, and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, stirring until smooth and glossy. Stir in the flour just until well combined.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a puffed crust forms on top. The center will still test moist. Do not overbake as the chocolate will solidify as it cools.
Place pan on a rack and cool completely for 2 to 3 hours, and then refrigerate for several hours or overnight until completely cold. Remove the brownies from the pan by lifting the foil by its edges. Cut into 16 squares.
* The package contains 11.5 ounces, leaving a healthy handful of unused chips. I call that a snack for the cook.
