Happy Halloween!!
In the spirit of the holiday, I wanted to share a recipe I’ve been working on. I wasn’t sure whether to call these “black-as-your-soul brownies”, “midnight brownies” or simply “black cocoa brownies”. I (and my friends) love these brownies for their fudginess and unique oreo like flavour. Their beautiful glossy finish isn’t all that bad, either.
These are fun because of the versatility; want something more Halloween themed? Swap out the folded in chocolate chips for butterscotch or peanut butter chips, and throw some orange sprinkles on top for good measure. Want literal midnight brownies? Remove the chocolate chips and add a handful of silver dragees(the little round ones you see at the bulk stores) for stars. Even better? They only take one bowl, which means minimal cleaning.
These brownies are unique because they use black cocoa powder. Yes, black, not the regular or even dark type. This gives the brownies their colour and flavour, and it’s also what is used in Oreos. You can find this in bulk stores and online.
Black-As-Your-Soul Brownies
(adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter
- 2 cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips, with 2 ounces separated
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup black cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- optional: sprinkles to top
Procedure:
- Grease and cocoa powder(preferably with the black kind) or line with parchment or foil and grease&cocoa powder a 9X9″ square pan(this makes the brownies thicker, with a higher middle:crust ratio). It will look like the void. Preheat the oven to 350F, the approximate temperature of Hell.
- Melt together in a bowl the butter and the 2 ounces of chocolate chips. This can be done over a bain-marie, like a traditional witch’s pot, or you can take the modern witch approach with the microwave. whisk throughout, either way, to keep the mixture from boiling or burning. We want all the double double toil and trouble without the fire burn and cauldron bubble.
- Whisk in the sugar, then the eggs and vanilla. Channel your inner Hansel and Gretel witch for this.
- Fold in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Watch as the batter transforms to an inky-black and revel in the physical representation of the darkness in your heart.
- Fold in the remaining chocolate chips. Mix as little as possible, while still distributing the chips.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared pan, and spread into the pan; it’ll be super thick. Add sprinkles, if that’s your thing, on the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, and then test every 2 minutes for doneness. Mine took closer to 40 minutes.
- Remove brownies from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before giving up and burning your fingers trying to get them out because you’re overeager. Alternatively(and recommended by me), cool completely in the pan, cut and serve. Enjoy. Cackel. Adopt a black cat. Ride off on your broomstick into the night.
YUM!