Ina's Outrageous Brownies

by Ina Garten - Barefoot Contessa

1 lb. unsalted butter (4 sticks, yes, FOUR sticks!)
1 lb. plus 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 oz. unsweetened chocolates (6 squares)
6 extra-large eggs
3 tbsps. instant coffee granules
2 tbsps. pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Butter and flour a 12 x 18 x 1" baking sheet, set aside

Melt the butter and 1 lb. of chocolate chips in a medium bowl over simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water)

As I melted the butter and chocolate chips, I came so close to forgetting to add the unsweetened chocolate!  Whew! I'm glad I remembered!  Do you ever "almost" forget to put in an ingredient??  Anyways, once it's all melted, set aside and let cool slightly

In another bowl, add the eggs, coffee granules, vanilla extract and sugar,  Stir (do not mix).

Stir in the warm chocolate mixture,

and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt.

Add to the cooled chocolate mixture, stir  until completely mixed.

In another bowl, add 1/4 cup flour and the 12 oz. of chocolate chips and walnuts.  This trick makes the chips from sinking to the bottom while baking.  (I wanted to make half with pecans and half without so that's why you don't see the pecans in with the choc. chips.  I don't like Pecans).

Stir in the floured chocolate chips.

and pour half the mixture in one side of the cookie sheet (it's the half without the nuts).  

 Repeat the step by adding the nuts into the last half of the chocolate mixture and then spread onto the other half of the pan.  Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough.  Bake for another 15 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the middle comes out clean.  Do not overbake!

Let cool completely (for about an hour and 1/2)

Cut in small pieces or large ones.  I personally prefer the small ones only because these are so so rich, thick and chocolatey!

 YUM!!  Got milk?!

I've been making this recipe for years.  It was one of the first recipes I saw Ina bake and they sounded and looked so good, I just had to make them.  I was not prepared though the very first time I bit into one of these.  The coffee granules definitely bring out the chocolatey goodness.  If anything ought to be called, "death by chocolate", it should be these brownies.  I just had one, and I feel like I have overdosed on chocolate.  I'll be taking some to work, especially the ones with pecans ;) since this recipe can make around 40 bars.

Make sure to have some cold milk on hand!

Hope and pray you had a blessed weekend and savored every moment!

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