Ingredients

Butter and flour for pan preparation
6 ounces 70% bittersweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
Frosting (optional)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter and flour a 8×8-inch baking pan. Set aside. In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla and let cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar on medium high speed until thick and creamy, and sugar is dissolved, about 10 minutes. Gently stir in melted chocolate. Stir salt into flour and fold gently into chocolate mixture. Do not over mix. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread to smooth. Bake 20 minutes, then cover with foil. Bake additional 8 to 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted 1 inch from the center comes out clean.

While brownies are baking, prepare the frosting. Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder. Mix until well blended. Add 2 tablespoons warm water and vanilla and whisk in confectioner’s sugar, a little at a time, until frosting is smooth and spreadable, but not too thick.

Remove brownies from the oven and let cool slightly in pan. Spread frosting over warm brownies for a hot fudge sauce effect or spread on cooled brownies and refrigerate until firm for brownies that will be served later or packed for travel. Cut into 12 pieces.

Nutritional Info

Per Serving: Serving size: 1 brownie, with frosting
260 calories (110 from fat)
13g total fat
7g saturated fat
55mg cholesterol
50mg sodium
38g carbohydrates
1 g dietary fiber
30g sugar
3g protein

SmartPoints value : 13