Sweets in the snow: Cocoa brownies with sea salt

We’re knee-deep in snow here in Boston today (or full-body deep as far as our chilly little poodle is concerned), and I’m happy to report that we’re finally getting a taste of the East Coast winters we’ve heard so much about since moving here last summer. Woo hoo! There are few things I love more than a seriously snowy morning. Well, that and baked goods. Today, pals, we have both. Did I already say woo hoo?

I’ve become a big fan of brownies in recent years, largely because, though there’s plenty of debate over corners vs. middles, fudgy vs. cakey, etc., most everyone seems to appreciate a good brownie in one form or another. I definitely lean more toward the super chewy and arguably overcooked variety, and Jared leans more soft and fudgy, so we waver back and forth between which recipe is our favorite at any given time. It’s nice when we find a happy medium, though, and this brownie, with its fudgy flavor (ironically from using cocoa instead of melted baker’s chocolate) and chewy bite, is pretty fair middle ground.

I like cutting these guys into tiny, nearly bite-sized pieces because that’s really all you need. Oh, and don’t forget to top them with the flakey sea salt! It’s so simple but so necessary. Jared and I both agree that it’s a must for any brownie-baking we do from here on out.

••••••••••••••••••••

Cocoa Brownies with Sea Salt
Adapted just slightly from Genius Recipes, Food52.com

• 10
 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 ¼ cup sugar
• ¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 
cold eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• flakey sea salt (Maldon is my favorite)

Place your oven rack in the lower third of the oven, and preheat it to 325 degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides.

Place the butter, sugar, cocoa and salt in a medium heatproof bowl or medium saucepan, and set the bowl in a wide skillet of barely simmering water. Stir from time to time until the butter is melted and the mixture is well combined and hot to the touch. Remove the bowl from the skillet, and set it aside until the mixture is warm, not hot.

Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon, then add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny and well blended, add the flour, and stir until you can’t see it any longer. Then beat the batter vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.

Bake until a toothpick in the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 25 to 35 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely.

Lift up the ends of the parchment, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board. Cut them into 25 squares. (I popped my brownies into the refrigerator for a few minutes before cutting them, which helps of you’re hoping for cleaner lines.)

••••••••••••••••••••

Happy snow day!

XO,
Katrina