September 29, 2020

Triple Espresso Brownies

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Triple Espresso Brownies

September 29: International Coffee Day

Coffee, coffee and more coffee! This frosted chocolate brownie has three delicious coffee flavorings that coffee lovers are sure to appreciate:

  • Espresso powder (or instant coffee crystals)
  • Espresso-flavored chocolate baking chips
  • Coffee liqueur (or strong coffee)

If espresso-flavored chocolate chips are not available, chocolate covered coffee beans may be substituted. Try triple espresso brownies with a cup of coffee while celebrating International Coffee Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Midwest Living)

For the brownies

  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder (or instant coffee crystals)
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, unsalted
  • ¾ cup chocolate espresso baking chips (we used Rex Coffee brand) or chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup sugar, granulated white
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions

In a saucepan dissolve the espresso powder in water. Add the butter and chocolate espresso chips. Melt over low heat.

Stir until smooth. Add the sugar, beaten eggs and vanilla.

Remove from heat and add the flour, walnuts and salt. Stir everything until smooth.

Line an 8×8-inch square pan with foil with enough overhang “handles” so it is easy to remove the brownies after baking. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the foil with cooking spray, butter or oil. Spread the brownie batter in the pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. Meanwhile, make the frosting.

For the frosting

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (we used Kona coffee liqueur; see Notes for substitution)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ cup chocolate espresso baking chips (we used Rex Coffee brand) or chocolate chips or chopped chocolate covered coffee beans

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter with powdered sugar. Add the boiling water and mix until smooth. Thin out the frosting to a spreadable consistency by adding the coffee liqueur and vanilla. Spread on the cooled brownies.

Sprinkle the top with chocolate espresso chips. Cut into 16 squares. Store leftovers in tightly covered container for up to five days.

Notes

  • Instead of coffee liqueur, use strong liquid coffee. One teaspoon espresso powder of instant coffee crystals may also be used.
  • We found the chocolate espresso baking chips/morsels from the Walmart baking aisle. They may be ordered from Amazon as well. Rex Coffee and Nestle are two brands that make these products.
  • Get a free PDF cookbook of recipes with more espresso chips.
  • Search our blog for other recipes containing coffee as an ingredient or flavor.

 

December 8, 2015

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Cookies

Posted by HI Cookery under 12 December | Tags: , , , , , , |
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Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

December 8: National Brownie Day

We have blogged several times about brownies before. But this one is baked with a special ingredient—a chocolate candy bar! And it’s not just any bar—it has hemp seeds! Hemp is related to but is not the same as marijuana, although they both come from one of the varieties of their common cannabis plant. When baked into brownies, a few people automatically assume there is “pot” in it, which is illegal in some states. Nevertheless, we reassured our skeptical friends that they would probably only get high on sugar and not on “weed”! For National Brownie Day, bake some brownies with a special ingredient—a chocolate candy bar with or without hemp.

Recipe

(Adapted from Dave Lieberman of the Food Network)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick butter) butter, melted, divided use
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 hemp chocolate candy bar, coarsely chopped

Directions

Prepare an 8×8-inch square baking pan that has been lined with foil with a little hanging over the edges (this will act as the “handles” to lift the cooled brownies from the pan). Grease the bottom and sides of the foil-lined pan with 2 tablespoons melted butter. With the remaining butter, combine it with the sugar in a mixing bowl.

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Beat in the egg, water and vanilla. Next, add the salt, baking powder, cocoa powder and flour.

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Fold in the chopped hemp chocolate candy bar pieces. Spread evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until the center is set and the top is shiny and slightly wrinkled. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Use the foil “handles” to lift the brownie out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve. Yield: 16 brownie pieces.

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Notes

  • Thanks to Lisa L. for giving us the special ingredient for this recipe—the hemp chocolate candy bar. The hemp seeds added a nice occasional crunch to the fudgy-cake like texture in this brownie.
  • Substitute the hemp chocolate candy bar for a cup of another candy bar (like Snickers fun size or mini chocolate-peanut candy bars).
  • Search our blog for other brownie recipes.

 

December 8, 2011

Chocolate Brownies

Posted by HI Cookery under 12 December | Tags: , , |
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Chocolate Brownies

Chocolate Brownies

December 8: National Chocolate Brownie Day

Brownies have had a bad reputation for including a “special ingredient.”  Perhaps that is why we seem a bit paranoid at potlucks and parties when brownies are served! Considered a cross between a cake and a cookie, brownies can include ingredients, such as nuts and chocolate chips, and may be iced with chocolate frosting or dusted with powdered sugar.  But we prefer them “basic and boring”—no additional ingredients, “special” or otherwise—with a tall glass of milk (lactose-free for Islander) or a cup of coffee (Kona for Highlander). For us, plain brownies are simply sweet enough at snacktime to satisfy our chocolate cravings. Urban legends aside, bake brownies for National Chocolate Brownie Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Kraft Foods)

Ingredients

  • 4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate (we used Baker’s brand)
  • 3/4 cup (1 ½ sticks) butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3  eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup  flour

Directions

Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with heavy duty foil. Mist with cooking spray. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate with the butter on high for two minutes. Stir until smooth. Add the sugar, eggs and vanilla and blend well.

Chocolate Brownies

Gradually mix in the flour. Spread the batter into the baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Carefully lift the foil out of the pan. Cut the brownies into squares and serve.

Chocolate Brownies

Notes

  • To this basic brownie recipe, add a cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips for a crunchy texture. After it is baked and cooled, spread chocolate frosting or dust with powdered sugar for a rich topping.
  • A plastic knife is recommended for slicing the brownies. Use cookie cutters for interesting shaped brownies.
  • Search our blog for variations of brownie recipes.