Decadent Cocoa Nut Brownies Food

DECADENT COCOA NUT BROWNIES

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees (set oven rack to second-lowest position).
• Grease a 8 x 8-inch baking pan.
• In a small bowl mix together flour and salt; set aside.
• In a heatproof bowl combine the 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, 1-1/4 cups sugar and 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa.
• Set the bowl over barely simmering water, and stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth and hot.
• Remove the bowl, and set aside a short time until the mixture is only warm not hot.
• Stir in vanilla or Kahlua (if using) and oil with a wooden spoon.
• Add in cold eggs, and whisk vigorously.
• When the batter looks thick and shiny and well blended, add in the flour/salt mixture with a wooden spoon, then changing to a wire whisk mix until completely blended.
• Stir in the nuts and/or chocolate chips.
• Spread evenly into prepared baking pan.
• Bake about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out just slightly moist with batter.
• Let cool completely.
• Cut into squares.

DECADENT CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 177 Celsius.).
• In a large mixing bowl, add egg and butter. Whisk until blended smoothly.
• Whisk in white sugar, then add vanilla and baking powder.
• Add cocoa powder, blend thoroughly.
• Mix in flour (SLOWLY) and and then sour cream. Batter will be THICK! This is okay. If you find the batter is not thick or is runny, add 1/4 cup more flour. If you find the batter is getting too thick too fast, don't add the full cup. (If you feel the batter is far too thick you can always add more sour cream and/or some milk!).
• Fold in chocolate pieces. I don't use baking chocolate - I use milk chocolate bars with almonds. Use your favorite brand.
• Grease a 9" round or square baking tin. Pour brownie mix in, smoothing out with your spatula gently until it reaches the sides.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until you can stick a toothpick in and it comes out clean. For me with a gas oven, that's 25 minutes.

DECADENT TOFFEE BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F/gas 3/fan 140°C Butter and base-line a shallow 23cm/9in square cake tin.
• Melt the chocolate and butter together (you can do this in the microwave, it takes about 2 minutes), then stir well and cool slightly.
• Whisk the eggs until pale then whisk in the sugar until thick and glossy and well combined. Gently fold in the melted chocolate mixture, then sift in the flour and baking powder and gently stir until smooth.
• Pour into the prepared cake tin and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Test by inserting a wooden cocktail stick into the middle - there should be a few moist crumbs sticking to it. The mixture will still be soft in the centre, but will firm up on cooling.
• Cool in the tin on a wire rack for at least 1 hour - if you can resist the temptation to eat them ;)-then cut into 16 squares and finish cooling on the rack.