Mocha Walnut Brownies Food

MOCHA BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
• For the brownie batter: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, being careful not to let it burn. Set it aside to cool slightly.
• In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar. Beat in the eggs. With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the melted chocolate. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add the flour to the bowl and mix just until combined; do not over mix.
• Pour the batter in the prepared baking pan. Spread it to even out the surface. Bake until the center is no longer soft, 40 to 45 minutes. Set the brownies aside to cool completely before icing.
• For the icing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla. Mix until slightly combined, then add 1/2 cup of the coffee. Whip until the icing is light and fluffy. If the icing is overly thick, add 1/4 cup more coffee. It should be very light and fluffy.
• Ice the cooled brownies, spreading the icing on thick. Refrigerate until the icing is firm, and then slice the brownies into squares.

ESPRESSO BROWNIES WITH MOCHA GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the pan with an overhang on two opposite sides.
• For the brownies: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Whisk together the sugar, butter and oil in a large bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk just until combined. Using a spatula, stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no flour streaks remain and then fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake until the center is slightly set, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool for about 30 minutes.
• For the ganache: When the brownies are ready, put the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl and set aside. Heat the cream and coffee in a small saucepan just until it barely reaches a simmer. Pour the liquid over the chocolate and let sit for 10 seconds before whisking until smooth and shiny. Pour the ganache over the cooled brownies, gently shaking to completely coat the top. Let sit at room temperature until completely cool (about 1 hour) or pop into the refrigerator for 15 minutes before sprinkling with sea salt (if using). Run a knife around the edge of the baking pan and use the parchment to lift out the brownies before slicing.

FLUFFY COFFEE AND WALNUT CAKE WITH MOCHA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 325°. Lightly butter three 8"-diameter cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Toast 2 cups (250 g) raw walnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 12-14 minutes. Let cool. Set aside 1 cup walnuts for serving.
• Meanwhile, cook ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until it foams, then browns, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil or refined coconut oil, melted. Set brown butter mixture aside.
• Pulse remaining 1 cup toasted walnuts in a food processor until coarsely ground (it should be the texture of panko). Transfer to a large bowl and whisk in 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 2¼ tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ½ tsp. baking soda.
• Process 4 large eggs, 1¼ cups (250 g) sugar, 2 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1 tsp. instant espresso powder in food processor (no need to clean bowl) until mixture is lightened in color and thickened, about 30 seconds. Stir 2 Tbsp. whole milk into reserved brown butter mixture. With motor running, gradually stream brown butter mixture into egg mixture and process until combined. Add dry ingredients and process just until a smooth batter forms. Divide batter among prepared pans.
• Bake cakes, rotating pans front to back after 15 minutes, until puffed and just starting to pull away from the sides of pans and a tester inserted in the centers comes out clean, 20-22 minutes. Transfer pans to wire racks and let cakes cool 15 minutes. Run a small knife around edges of each cake to release from pan if needed. Turn out cakes onto racks and remove parchment paper; discard. Turn cakes right side up and let cool completely.
• Combine 8 large egg whites, 2¼ cups (450 g) sugar, ¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ¼ tsp. cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set over a medium saucepan filled with 1½" of simmering water (bowl should not touch water). Heat, stirring and scraping often with a heatproof rubber spatula, until sugar is dissolved and an instant-read thermometer registers 185°, 10-15 minutes.
• Fit bowl onto stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment and beat, starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high, until meringue is shiny and stiff, 8-10 minutes. Beat in 1 tsp. vanilla extract.
• With mixer on medium speed, add 3 cups (6 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces, a piece at a time, mixing until incorporated before adding more. Once all the butter has been added, increase speed to high and beat 1 minute. Transfer buttercream in bowl to refrigerator and chill 30 minutes.
• Fit bowl with buttercream back onto stand mixer and add ¼ cup (21 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted if needed, and 2 tsp. instant espresso powder. Beat on medium-low speed, scraping down sides as needed, until combined.
• Using a large serrated knife and long sawing strokes, remove tops of cakes to level if needed. Place a cake layer, right side up, on a cake stand or large plate. Using an offset spatula, spread ¼ cup buttercream over cake, working all the way to the edges. Place second cake layer, right side up, on top; spread another ¼ cup buttercream over cake, working all the way to the edges. Place third cake layer, cut side down, on top, and press lightly to adhere. Spread top and sides of cake with ½ cup buttercream in a thin, even layer. Chill, uncovered, at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. (If chilling cake longer than 1 hour, cover remaining buttercream in bowl and chill. Bring to room temperature and beat again before using.)

MOCHA BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-inch square baking pan with butter. Line bottom and two sides with a strip of parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the two sides. Butter paper, and set pan aside. In a small bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• Place butter and chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes; remove bowl from pan. Add sugar; mix to combine. Add eggs, and mix to combine. Add flour mixture; mix just until moistened (do not overmix). Add instant espresso powder. Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Using paper overhang, lift brownies out of pan; transfer to a rack to cool completely (still on paper). On a cutting board, using a dampened serrated knife, cut into 16 squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2 days.

HAZELNUT MOCHA BROWNIES

Steps:

• In microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 cup chocolate chips and butter with coffee granules; stir until smooth, cool slightly.
• In large mixing bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar, stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla.
• Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture.
• Stir in hazelnuts and remaining chips.
• Pour into a greased 9-inch square baking pan.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 22-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• For frosting, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter with cream and coffee granules; stir until smooth.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Transfer to a small mixing bowl; beat on high speed for 2 minutes.
• Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
• Frost brownies; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting.

AMARETTO-WALNUT BROWNIES

Steps:

• Add walnuts and almond liqueur to a bowl; stir to coat; allow pecans to soak in liqueur for 4-6 hours; drain and discard liqueur.
• Melt butter and chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat.
• Beat eggs, sugar, and Swiss mocha mix using an electric mixer on medium speed for 8 minutes.
• Gradually add in slightly cooled chocolate mixture, beating at low speed until blended.
• Gradually add in vanilla, flour, and salt, beating until well blended.
• Stir in walnuts.
• Pour batter into a lightly greased foil-lined 13x9 inch baking pan.
• Bake in a 350° oven for 30-35 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack; cut into squares.

FUDGY LAYERED IRISH MOCHA BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Remove from heat; stir in cocoa, oil and instant coffee granules. Cool slightly; stir in sugar and beaten eggs. Gradually add flour mixture and vanilla; mix well. Spread batter into a greased 8-in. square pan; bake until center is set (do not overbake), about 25 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack., For frosting, whisk together confectioners' sugar and butter (mixture will be lumpy). Gradually whisk in Irish cream liqueur; beat until smooth. Spread over slightly warm brownies. Refrigerate until frosting is set, about 1 hour., Meanwhile, prepare ganache: Combine all ingredients and microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer; stir until smooth. Cool slightly until ganache reaches a spreading consistency. Spread over frosting. Refrigerate until set, 45-60 minutes.

MOCHA WALNUT CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Melt over hot (not boiling) water, 1/2 cup chocolate morsels.
• Stir until smooth; cool to room temperature. In small cup dissolve instant coffee in boiling water; set aside.
• In small bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In large bowl combine margarine, sugar, brown sugar and coffee; beat until creamy.
• Add egg and melted chips; mix well.
• Gradually add flour mixture, stir in remaining chocolate chips and walnuts.
• Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.