Best Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

BROWNIE

Cooking Time:1 hour (20 mins Preparation time; 40 mins baking)                    Serves:8-12

INGREDIENTS:

1. Dark Chocolate (200 grams)
2. Unsalted Butter (150 grams)
3. Powdered Sugar (200 grams)
4. Eggs (4)
5. Vanilla Extract
6. Instant espresso / Coffee powder
7. Flour (100 grams)
8. Coco powder (3 tablespoons)
9. Salt
10. Nuts ( Almonds, walnuts, cashews etc)
11. 8 by 8 inch square baking pan (preferably non stick)
12. Parchment paper

METHOD:

1. In a double boiler add 200 grams of dark chocolate and 150 grams of unsalted butter and let them melt together.
2. In the meantime, to 1 tablespoon of instant espresso (coffee powder) add 2-3 tablespoons of hot water and mix.
3. Add this coffee decoction to the chocolate and butter mix and allow everything to melt together.
4. When the chocolate and butter has melted and well combined, take it off the heat. 
5. To the melted chocolate and butter add in 200 grams of powdered sugar and combine it well with a whisk.
6. After the sugar is properly combined it is time to add in the 4 eggs. Add one egg at a time. Make sure you combine each egg very well before adding in the next egg.
7. To this add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix.
8. To this wet mix then it is time to sift in the dry ingredients.
9. Sift in 100 grams of refined flour, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and a pinch (quarter teaspoon) of salt. Discard any lump on the sieve.
10. Fold in the dry ingredients with the wet chocolate mixture. Add in the chopped nuts and mix.
11. Brownie mix is ready.
12. Pour this brownie mix in 8 inch by 8 inch square baking tray which is lined with parchment paper or wax paper.
13. Preheat your oven or microwave at 180 degree Celsius (350 Fahrenheit)
14. Bake the brownies in the preheated oven at 180 degree Celsius for 30-40 minutes. In case of microwave do the same in the convection mode.
15. To check whether the brownies have cooked or not, insert a toothpick in the center. It should not be clean but should have sticky gooey chocolate crumbs on it. Remember its a fudgy brownie.
16. Serve the hot brownies with ice cream drizzled with some chocolate sauce. You can also enjoy them with milk as a bedtime meal or simply have it on its own. Bon Appetite!!

NOTES:

1. A double boiler is the safest way of melting chocolate. To make a double boiler take some water in a pan and place it on the heat. In another bowl add in the chocolate and place this bowl over the pan making sure they fit perfectly. However keep in mind that the water should not touch the bottom of the bowl else chocolate may burn. Steam from underneath will melt the chocolate.
2. You can also melt the chocolate and butter in microwave. Give 30 secs timing and take out and mix. Repeat the process until properly melted. Keep in mind to not increase the time above 30 seconds.
3. Addition of coffee is optional. But coffee enhances the chocolate flavor. Add this and trust me you won't regret. 
4. Granulated sugar can also be used in place of powdered sugar.
5. Break the eggs in another bowl and then add in the mixture. This is a very handy tip. Because say you break an egg directly into the mix and it turns out to be foul, that will ruin your whole preparation. 
6. In place of unsalted butter you can use regular butter. But in that case don't add any salt in the mix later.
7. It is always recommended to sift in the dry ingredients (flour,coco powder etc) in the wet mix to avoid any lumps and have a smooth batter.
8. You must have noticed no baking powder or baking soda has been used while making brownies. This is because we don't want brownies to rise. It is supposed to be flat.
9. Similarly there is no need to use a stand mixer or hand blender to mix the brownie batter. A normal whisk and spatula is enough. Because we don't want to incorporate much air in the mix.
10. If you are using non stick square pan to bake, just add a double layered parchment paper making sure it covers all the side and you are good to go (Check out the video). You can also use aluminium baking pan. In that case brush with butter and line with parchment paper.
11. Bake at 180 degree Celsius. The timing may vary from 30-45 minutes based on your oven and the type of fudgy brownie you prefer. So keep an eye after 30 minutes and bake as per your preference. 
12. To check insert a toothpick in the center. It should not be clean but should have sticky gooey chocolate crumbs on it. Remember its a fudgy brownie. It is supposed to be fudgy and gooey.
13. The best thing about brownie recipe is that you need to mix everything in a single bowl and bake. And Voila!!! It will be ready :)