Use the size pan specified in the recipe. To check the width
of a pan, measure across the top from inside edge to inside edge.
Cut the baked brownie recipe into bars, squares or other shapes when completely cool
unless the recipe specifies differently. This helps prevent the bars from
crumbling.
Store bar cookies or brownies in a tightly covered
container, or leave them in the pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Chocolate Souffle Brownies
For
brownie base:
3 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
10 tablespoons unsalted butter -- (1 1/4 sticks)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For souffle topping:
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
4 ounces semisweet chocolate chips -- ( 3/4 cup)
3 large eggs
5 tablespoons granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan with
butter or vegetable oil or line the bottom with parchment paper. (If you are
using an 8-inch pan, preheat the oven to 300 degrees.) Prepare the brownie
batter: Melt chocolate and butter together in the top of a double boiler placed
over simmering water. Let mixture cool for 5 minutes.
Place sugar in a medium mixing bowl; pour in the chocolate mixture. Using an
electric mixer on medium speed, mix until blended, about 25 seconds. Scrape the
bowl with a rubber spatula.
Add vanilla. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add eggs one at a time,
blending after each addition until the yolk is broken and dispersed, about 10
seconds. Then scrape the bowl and blend until the mixture is velvety, about 15
seconds.
Add flour on low speed and mix for 20 seconds. Finish the mixing by hand, being
certain to incorporate any flour at the bottom of the bowl.
Spread batter evenly in prepared pan; set aside.
To prepare the topping: Heat the cream in a medium saucepan over low heat until
hot. Add the chocolate and the chocolate chips and stir; remove pan from heat.
Cover pan to melt the chocolate. Meanwhile, with the electric mixer on
medium-high speed, beat eggs and sugar together in a medium bowl until pale and
foamy, about 3 minutes.
Stir the chocolate mixture with a whisk until smooth. Add to egg mixture; mix at
medium-low speed until well blended.
Pour the topping over the batter. Tip the pan gently from side to side so that
it spreads evenly.
Bake the brownies on center rack of oven until top is set, 40 to 45 minutes. The
center of the brownies should never quite rise to the height of the edges.
(Brownies baked in an 8-inch pan may take longer.) Place pan on a rack; let cool
for 1 hour before cutting the brownies into 1 1/2-inch squares with a sharp thin
knife.
Leave brownies in the pan, at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap for up
to 1 day. After that, layer them in an airtight plastic container with plastic
wrap, parchment or waxed paper between the layers, and store for another 2 days
in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
They are delicious cold or at room temperature.
