Outrageous Brownies from Barefoot Contessa

Good Monday morning! With the holidays upon us, I was remembering that most of us love the taste of chocolate. So I thought that I'd give you a special recipe for brownies--which is one of everybody's favorite desserts.

And this recipe comes from one of my favorite women in the food world--Ina Garten. Each time I share one of her recipes, I like to add her own words about it. So for Outrageous Brownies,  Ina says: "Inspiration for this recipe came from the Chocolate Glob in the SoHo Charcuteries Cookbook published by William Morrow in 1983. In its heyday, the SoHo Charcuterie was the cutting edge of New York restaurants. The giant confection was a blob of chocolate dough filled with chocolate chips and nuts. I thought I could make a brownie with almost the same formula. They've been flying out the door for fifteen years!" From The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook...with a special wish for your holiday season, here is the recipe for some very special  brownies.

First, here are some tips for making things easier:

1) Flouring the chips and walnuts keeps them from sinking to the bottom.

2) It is very important to allow the batter to cool well before adding the chocolate chips, or the chips will melt and ruin the brownies.

 3) This recipe can be baked up to a week in advance, wrapped in plastic, and refrigerated.

Outrageous Brownies

Makes 20 large brownies

1 pound unsalted butter

1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

6 ounces bitter chocolate

6 extra large eggs

3 tablespoons instant coffee granules

2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and flour a 12 X 18 X 1-inch baking sheet.

Melt together the butter, 1 pound of chocolate chips, and the bitter chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee granules, 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 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of flour, then add them to the chocolate batter. Pour into the baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake! Allow to cool thoroughly, refrigerate, and cut into 20 large squares.

I hope you'll make these luscious brownies and give your family the pleasure of eating this  luxurious chocolate dessert!

Blessings...Mimi