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Nana's Brownies

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Nana's Brownies Peden & Munk

These deep, dark brownies, a Lauren family favorite, are from Ricky Lauren'sThe Hamptons: Food, Family, and History.

Ingredients

Makes 12

Brownies:

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, plus more for pan
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 72% cacao)
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze:

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 72% cacao)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter
1 tablespoon dark rum
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
  1. Brownies:

    Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 8x8" baking dish, shaking out excess flour. Toast walnuts, if using, on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes; let cool. Increase oven temperature to 375°F.

    Step 2

    Whisk cocoa, salt, baking powder, and 1 cup flour in a medium bowl to combine and work out any lumps. Heat chocolate, sugar, and 1/2 cup butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water), stirring constantly, until smooth. Remove from heat and add eggs one at a time, beating vigorously with a wooden spoon to blend after each addition. Mix in vanilla, then add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in reserved walnuts (do not overmix).

    Step 3

    Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 30–40 minutes. Let cool.

  2. Glaze:

    Step 4

    Heat chocolate, butter, rum, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water), stirring constantly, until smooth.

    Step 5

    Pour glaze over brownies and top with walnuts, if using. Chill until glaze is set, at least 1 hour. Slice into 12 brownies.

  3. Do Ahead

    Step 6

    Brownies can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

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  • This recipe was pretty good and I will make it again with some changes. I thought it was too salty, particularly the icing. I will leave the salt out and instead add some smoked finishing salt at the end. We also eliminated the nuts since the kids don't like nuts and, instead, added smoked orange zest to the brownie batter and subbed orange juice for the rum.

    • natg007

    • Aliso Viejo, CA

    • 8/8/2020

  • 我认为他们是伟大的。只有改变我to simplify process by making the brownies the old-fashioned way of putting the chocolate, butter, and sugar in a large saucepan over low heat, omitting the bowl over simmering water, etc., and they turned out just fine. Watched very carefully while melting chocolate, etc. Made it very easy. They did take at least 10 min. longer to bake than stated on recipe.

    • Anonymous

    • Mt. Lebanon, PA

    • 11/6/2015

  • I thought these brownies were good, but I personally prefer less rum flavor. If I make them again, I'll cut down on the rum. Also, mine were pretty toasty around the edges, so if serving, I would trim off some of the edges. (I have good kitchen equipment and followed the recipe carefully.) Otherwise, very good.

    • mellieshouse

    • Fort Worth, Texas

    • 7/5/2015

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