Guaranteed Fudge Brownies

You are most likely thinking - Oh no, not another brownie recipe - but before you click away, please note that these brownies are Incredible. So incredible that King Arthur Flour has designated them as "guaranteed" in the King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion. They have a crinkly, shiny, slightly crisp top layer that yields to a decadently fudgy (but not gooey) brownie layer. The generous chocolate chunks dispersed throughout the batter melt on your tongue giving you an extra burst of chocolate. There are no nuts to detract from the utterly rich and fudgy texture of these gems.

**Tip** In order to get the coveted shiny, crinkly top, make sure to heat your melted chocolate and butter together a SECOND time so the sugar dissolves fully and the chocolate-butter mixture is glossy.

King Arthur Flour's Guaranteed Fudge Brownies
9 x 13 pan | KAF Cookie Companion

3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup Dutch-process cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup (6 ounces) chocolate chips

1. In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, or in a saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine. Return the mixture to the heat (or microwave) briefly, just until it's hot (about 110 degrees to 120 degrees), but not bubbling; it'll become shiny looking as you stir it. Heating this mixture a second time will dissolve more of the sugar, which will yield a shiny top crust on your brownies.

2. Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs, stirring until smooth; then add the flour and optional nuts and chips, again stirring until smooth. Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch pan.

3. Bake the brownies in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 29 to 32 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, or with just a tiny amount of crumb clinging to it. The edges of the brownies should be set, but the middle still soft. Remove the brownies from the oven, and cool them completely before cutting and serving.