As if Christmas wasn’t a big enough holiday to send your system into sugar shock, December also holds two other sweet celebrations: National Cookie Day and National Brownie Day. Since we made some Healthy Oatmeal Cranberry Breakfast Cookies on National Cookie Day, we decided to whip something up for National Brownie Day. Celebrated this past Thursday on December 8, National Brownie Day pays homage to the dense, chocolate-laden, cake-like dessert that has been winning over the hearts (and stomachs) of people since the late 1800s. We hope these delicious Decadent Dark Chocolate Brownies will win you over, too.
After I put these in the oven, I did a little research on the history of this chocolate treat. According to legend, in 1893, Bertha Palmer, a prominent Chicago socialite, asked a pastry chef at the Palmer House Hotel to develop a dessert suitable for ladies attending the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition.
Her request was quite specific: a cake-like confection smaller than a piece of cake that could be included in the boxed lunches. Topped with walnuts and an apricot glaze, the Palmer House Brownie was a hit. This brownie is still served in the Palmer House Hilton and remains one of the hotel’s most popular confections.
Although we could have tried to bake , we decided to go with a more well-known, classic version. We mixed it up a bit by using dark chocolate, which resulted in a rich, intense flavor that was downright decadent.
Remember the tough decision you had to make as a child when it came to brownies? Should I have an inside piece where it’s all soft and chewy, or should I pick an outside one that has some crunch? We wanted to take the guesswork out of it for you, so of course, we tried both. (Aren’t we so nice?) Believe us when we say you won’t go wrong no matter which piece you choose.
These deliciously Decadent Dark Chocolate Brownies are perfect served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. If anything could invoke sweet childhood memories and a little bit of nostalgia, it would be these.
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the foil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped*
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, slightly beaten
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, and then spray with cooking oil to prevent the brownies from sticking.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and salt in a bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and chocolate, stirring frequently. Cool slightly and then stir in sugar and eggs. Add flour mixture, and stir to combine. Pour the batter into foil-lined pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs, about 30 to 35 minutes.
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack. Use the foil overhang to help lift them out of the pan. Cut into squares the size of your choice. Can be stored airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
*Feel free to get creative with the dark chocolate. Selecting one with a unique flavor profile can really kick these brownies up a notch. We used dark chocolate almond bars – the hint of almond was perfect!
In the mood for a taste of childhood today? Bake a batch of these and let us know what you think!
These look delicious. In a candy bar I’m not really a fan of dark chocolate but in a brownie it’s fantastic! My mama used to make dark chocolate brownies and even my older brothers (who were 23, 21, and 12 years older) would want to battle my sister and I for them!
The dark chocolate does add a depth to these brownie that’s irresistible! And isn’t that what kids are supposed to do? Fight for the sweet treats? 🙂 Thanks for sharing that sweet memory!
This looks irresistible!! 😍
They were pretty darn amazing! Too bad I had to make that ice cream sundae for the photos… 😉
That sundae looks fab too! 😍
I always loved the corners 😉
They have baking pans now that make all the brownies have all the corners and edges – they bake individually. It’s pretty cool!
Coool!
i am legit salivating right now! these look incredible!
Woah you got me drooling behind my laptop here, this looks AMAZING!!
Oh wow. These look delicious! I love dark chocolate. You won me over!
These look so amazing! Totally need these!
Looks delicious! Annnnd you had the ice cream on top, that’s a must!
Oh yum!! These look so good! I had no idea about the history of brownies. That was so interesting to read. Thanks for sharing!
We thought it was pretty fascinating! There’s always a story behind everything 🙂
Okay, that looks amazing. Love that dark chocolate!
This looks so good! Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂
I’m not even kidding, I’m making these tomorrow. I have been on a hunt for the perfect brownie recipe that bakes a thin crispy top and I believe this is it!
You’ll have to let us know how they are! 🙂 They were still yummy today – two days later (how on earth did they last that long??) 🙂
So dang decadent! 🙂
These look amazing!
Great recipe!! Brownies are always a good decision. 🙂
These look so good! I will definitely have to try this recipe out I’m a big dark chocolate lover.
Thanks for sharing the recipe, both sounds and looks amazing! 🙂
Ooh dark chocolate is my favourite! I loved checking out your blog! Thanks for sharing – great writing 🙂
xxx
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