Outrageous Brownies

I plan on making these delicious little delights tomorrow afternoon to take to Wednesday's Chapman Leaders Meeting.

How could they not be fabulous.. they have a whole pound of butter in them. 

Prep Time:30 minInactive Prep Time: hr minCook Time:30 min
Level:
Difficult
Serves:
20 large brownies 

Ingredients
1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, divided
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee powder
2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (1 cup for batter and 1/4 cup in the chips and nuts)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups diced walnut pieces
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 13 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.

Melt together the butter, 1 pound chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate on top of a double boiler. Cool slightly. Stir together the eggs, instant coffee, vanilla and sugar. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cool to room temperature.

Stir together 1 cup of the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips with 1/4 cup flour to coat. Then add to the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tester just comes out clean. Halfway through the baking, rap the pan against the oven shelf to allow air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Do not over-bake! Cool thoroughly, refrigerate well and cut into squares.

Outrageous Brownies
Copyright 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

***UPDATE: These brownies are not only difficult but expensive. Not recommended. BUT! The boxed version -- of course Barefoot Contessa has capitalized on that opportunity-- are much simpler. Mix and bake... and definitely not worth 6.50. Betty Crocker never let me down. Plus.. she makes a reduced fat version that's still delightful. 

a hodgepodge of inspiration

a) I want a home office

b) I want a cool old mail-sorting chest to store all my goodies

Utility: using a filing cabinet as an end table. Love this idea for a home office. 

Also. Framing large textile samples and displaying them as art -- something I'm totally going to attempt.

Definitely a DIY project I'm capable of doing.. Definitely a cheap way to spruce up some IKEA end tables.

The giant flowers are a little cutesy for my taste, but I'm loving the concept.

My current weakness: collecting cool glass bottles. No matter what, they make adorable little bud vases.

A la...

Chunky Molded Fireplace

I also really love the idea of using oversized finials, hurricanes or candls in lieu of firewood, especially during the summer months. The molding on this fireplace is spectacular.

love the color combo. This fireplace would be an awesome focal point, although I think the scale of the artwork above it kind of minimizes the effect. Could be awesome though.

Obviously a little bit more contemporary. I love the red oval mirror and giant vintage fan. Totally things you can find (and see all the time) at antique stores and flea markets. Oh! and the logs stacked in the fireplace lengthwise are a nice touch. For some reason the lack of practicality makes me think this is a good look for springtime. Using that last of the firewood, even though fire-in-the-hearth season is long over.

I just like this

because it is so true.

Best 'Weekend' Find

Target Sandals

$19.99

To Do: Graduate from College

 Chapman University  Feb 2009

Graduation from High School was somewhat anticlimactic for me. I didn't have any desire to send out announcements or have a big fancy party. I'm getting ready to graduate from Chapman and I'm finding myself conflicted on the topic.  In the past few years there have been various graduation announcements taped to my parents' fridge (they have one of those fancy looks-like-cabinetry refig faces just in case you were wondering about the tape). This accolade certainly deserves a certain level of celebration, but keep in mind that the bulk of these are NOT from close family friends, old baby sitters, etc.  These are mostly grown kids from our neighborhood in Houston (from which we moved away almost 20 years ago). There are a select few with whom we have kept in touch with over the years, but the majority just barely make the Christmas Card list each year. Who is it appropriate to send a graduation announcement to? Grandparents, relatives, Godparents... all obviously appropriate recipients. Who else makes the list? If the list is overly inclusive am I just looking for handouts? I think I'd be more comfortable with a VERY casual party. Or dinner with close friends and family. 

Just a thought. PLUS. Graduation announcements (the ones you order through the school) are so bland. Who wants to tape an ivory 3 x 5 Notecard to their fridge? 

 

What do you think? Party? Presents?

Brazin Old Vine Zin

Brazin Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel (SnoothRank: 4/5)

USA > California > Sacramento; San Joaquin > Lodi (January 2009)

my Rating 4/5

Just trust me. Try this. With Chocolate. it's heaven. and not too expensive. Henry's (In Laguna Niguel) frequently has it on sale for 16.99  (I'm sure you could find it at Central Market.. or online?) Some people say it's "jammy" I don't think it's too sweet at all.. I believe berries. but not jam. Definitely an excellent pre-dinner or post-dinner wine.