Friday, August 8, 2008

Katharine Hepburn Brownies

So a friend called this morning and wondered if I had any baked goods that I might want to share. I was planning on making cookies or brownies today but my day was not quite on schedule. While I was waiting for some delivery people I quickly made the recipe below. So simple. So, so simple as long as you have the ingredients on hand. I keep different kinds of baker’s chocolate in the pantry but I rarely use them. I have no idea why. I love how they are wrapped up like little treats.
Here is my take on brownies made from scratch. Number 1, I find them to be lots of fun to make. Number 2, they taste nothing like a mix. They have a much milder chocolate flavor and they taste very fresh. These particular ones have a caramelized top and a very fudgy, nutty center.
I found this recipe from an article about a 1975 interview that Katharine did for The Ladies' Home Journal. She said that she liked this brownie because of its small amount of flour giving it a chewy, mild taste. I would tend to agree.
Finally, today my favorite niece turns 6 years old.

Happy Birthday Fancy Nancy!!!
Her name is not Nancy, but yes she will be Fancy.

Katharine Hepburn Brownies
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for greasing or use cooking spray
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate (2 squares)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1⁄2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
1⁄4 cup flour
1⁄4 tsp. fine salt
1. Heat oven to 325°. Grease an 8" x 8" baking pan with butter. Line the pan with parchment paper; grease the paper or just use cooking spray. Set the pan aside.
2. Melt the butter and the chocolate together in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and stir to make a smooth batter. Add the walnuts, flour, and salt; stir until incorporated. Pour the batter into the baking pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40–45 minutes. Let cool on a rack. Cut and serve.

1 comment:

Kristen said...

I've seen these a few times, but haven't made them yet. They look great. And I love the Snoopy!