Cooks Illustrated Classic Brownies Recipes

CLASSIC BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Cut 18" length foil and fold lenghtwise to 8" width.
• Fit foil into 13x9" baking dish.
• Make sure it is in the corners and sides of the baking dish.
• Make sure that the foil hangs over the side.
• Cut a 14 inch length foil, and fit into width of pan, perpendicular to first sheet.
• Make sure the foil hangs over the side.
• Spray foil with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder; set aside.
• Melt chocolate and butter in double broiler, stirring until smooth.
• When chocolate is smooth, remove from heat and gradually whisk in sugar.
• Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each egg.
• Add in vanilla.
• Add 1/3 flour mixture, fold in with rubber spatula.
• Repeat until all flour is used and mix is smooth.
• Pour batter into prepared pan- make sure to spread brownie mix into corners of pan.
• Smooth the surface for even baking.
• If using nuts, sprinkle them on top.
• Cook brownies for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the brownies comes out clean.
• Cool in pan on wire rack for 2 hours.
• Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil over-hang.
• Cut brownies into 2" squares.
• Brownies can can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days.

COOK'S ILLUSTRATED CLASSIC BROWNIES

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut 18-inch length foil and fold lengthwise to 8-inch width. Fit foil into length of 13- by 9-inch baking dish, pushing it into corners and up sides of pan; allow excess to overhang pan edges. Cut 14-inch length foil and, if using extra-wide foil, fold lengthwise to 12-inch width; fit into width of baking pan in same manner, perpendicular to first sheet. Spray foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray. 3. Whisk to combine flour, salt, and baking powder in medium bowl; set aside. 4. Melt chocolate and butter in large heatproof bowl set over saucepan of almost-simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. (Alternatively, in microwave, heat butter and chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on high for 45 seconds, then stir and heat for 30 seconds more. Stir again, and, if necessary, repeat in 15-second increments; do not let chocolate burn.) When chocolate mixture is completely smooth, remove bowl from saucepan and gradually whisk in sugar. Add eggs one at time, whisking after each addition until thoroughly combined. Whisk in vanilla. Add flour mixture in three additions, folding with rubber spatula until batter is completely smooth and homogeneous. 5. Transfer batter to prepared pan; using spatula, spread batter into corners of pan and smooth surface. Sprinkle toasted nuts (if using) evenly over batter and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of brownies comes out with few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours, then remove brownies from pan by lifting foil overhang. Cut brownies into 2-inch squares and serve. (Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.)