Friday, July 27, 2012

Really Fudgy Brownies


"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.  "

~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

 


These brownies are amazing. I don't think I've ever eaten such a fudgy brownie. They are really a cross between fudge and a brownie, seriously. So if that's your thing, this recipe is for you. They are super easy too, mix it all in one pot, and you're done. What more can you ask for in a recipe?


First melt the butter and some unsweetened chocolate, then add everything else, all in one pot!


I made them for my chocolate loving friend who was watching our dog while we went on a quick overnight trip to Hood River, Oregon. I made them Monday night, that's 4 days ago and they are still as fudgy and delicious as the day they were made.



Add everything and mix together, this recipe is super easy

About once a year we take a trip to the Fruit Loop in Hood River, Oregon. It's a fun place to take a trip. Lots of small farms to visit, wineries and the beautiful Colombia River. We stayed at a hotel in a room that had a gorgeous river view and balcony.


Ready for the oven. A foil sling makes for easy removal and clean up

But that's not even the most exciting part about our trip.


Have you ever seen such a fudgy brownie? 

We went to the Hood River County Fair. It was fun, but wow, it was hot outside.



The view of the Columbia River from our room

Then we stopped at one of our favorite farms, Cody Orchards.


Lavender Valley, Hood River, Oregon, this place is so picturesque, we love stopping here for lavender plants, and lotions, and really all things lavender.

The girl there was holding an adorable little black terrier. I asked, "is that your dog?" She replied, "no, actually I'm waiting for animal services to come and get her, she was running along the road."


Lavender Valley, Hood River Oregon

I asked if I could hold her, and it was over. I was in love. She laid on my shoulder like we were long lost friends. The girl behind the counter urged us to take her home. She said she actually volunteers at the animal services and mentioned that she sees this all the time. The dog seemed unkept, not fixed, no tags, and looked as if she had even given birth to a litter of puppies at her young age.

We didn't need to be talked into it. It seemed right, it felt right. This dog is pure unconditional love. A girl who works at the animal services is telling us the dog is abandoned and needs a home. I mean it was perfect. The terrier is the same size as our dog, and the same age. It was so right. We got her home and our dog Lucien, LOVES her. He is a different dog around her. No longer neurotic, he's perfectly behaved and happy. They play like toddlers. It was the best thing that ever happened to us!


Lucien is our boy on the left, Coco is our new friend, the black terrier

UNTIL, the next day I wanted to be sure no one was searching for her. I'd be devastated if someone took my dog and never reported him missing, so I felt like I had to be sure she was unwanted. I called the local animal services. When I described her, and they told me details about her back to me, my heart dropped. Her family was looking for her,  I started to cry uncontrollably. Turns out they had only had her for a week and a half. Before that she was an abandoned dog. They love her as much as we do and she showed them all of that unconditional love she showed us. It's like she knows if she's abandoned, it's o.k. I'll just show someone some much love. I'll lay my head on their shoulder and they'll take me home. With an attitude like that, I think this dog will always have a home.

All this time we thought we were helping her, when she has really been the one to help and teach us what love can do.

She's still with us, waiting to find out when she and her family can reunite. We're still holding out hope that somehow, she can stay with us. But if she can't, her memory will remain. And now we've learned, we need to find our dog another good friend.

Edited to add** I am so happy to announce, the dogs previous family very generously let us keep the dog! We are of course, overjoyed!



Vintage Lenox plate, available at my Etsy Shop, House of Lucien


Never miss a post! Like The Alchemist on Facebook!  
 
 
 
Really Fudgy Brownies

Recipe adapted from these Salted Fudge Brownies from Food and Wine


Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks (170 g.) unsalted or salted butter - I used salted plus included the  1/2 tsp. salt below and the salt content was perfect

2 ounces (57 g.) unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons  (38 g.) unsweetened cocoa

1 cup (200 g.)  white sugar

1 cup (180 g.) brown sugar, packed

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup (150 g.) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, 180 degrees Celsius, Gas Mark 4.

Line a 9 inch pan with heavy duty foil to hang over the edges, if it isn't long enough on each side, line it on the opposite side as well to create a sling. Spray with nonstick spray or butter the foil, set aside.

In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter and the unsweetened chocolate together until melted. Whisk in both sugars, and mix until blended, then add the vanilla, salt and eggs, and whisk again well. Add the flour and cocoa and stir until incorporated, the batter will be thick. Pour the batter in the prepared pan.

Bake in the center of the oven for 35-40 minutes, until the edges are set, but the center is still a bit soft, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out coated with a little bit of batter. Don't over bake.

Let them cool to room temperature for an hour, then refrigerate them until they are just firm about another hour. Lift the brownies from the foil and peel off the foil. Serve them at room temperature.

They will keep (and remain fudgy) (wrapped well in plastic or in an air tight container) for at least 4 days.

29 comments:

Brittany said...

Yum!! These look amazing!

Mindy said...

First, those brownies look delicious and I'm pinning the recipe.
Second, we were in Hood River last weekend, saw the fair was coming, talked about heading back for it, and then didn't make it happen. Darn.
Third, we did the fruit loop for one of our anniversaries and LOVED it. Such a great drive and an all over good time. We didn't hit the lavender farm, though. We need to add it to our to-do list. The alpaca farm was our favorite part. We sat out with them for hours, chattin' with the owners. So fun.
Thanks for the brownie recipe!

Mindy said...

Oh! I almost forgot! Sorry to hear your time with the new little one was so short. Glad to hear he has a home though, and wasn't just abandoned. Sounds like you guys need to keep your ears open for another little critter who needs adopting. :o)

The Alchemist said...

Mindy, wow, you were just there last weekend! Amazing, what a small world. I've been to that alpaca farm.

We love it there too, we've had great memories there.

Yeah, we do need to look for another critter.

Thanks for sharing!

Nicole said...

These looks so ooey gooey delicious! Visiting from CountryMommaCooks linkup :)

Sam said...

Those look yum! Thanks for including metric measurements, saves me having to convert :) Gorgeous dog, reminds me of the silky terrier I once had. I don't know how I'd survive without a pampered pooch in my life, dogs make a house a home!

Tanya-Lemonsforlulu.com said...

I love how you can totally see the fudge factor in your picture! Looks really good! Your trip pics look beautiful! We have to make it to Oregon someday! Little Lucien is adorable! Reminds me of my Jack Russell!

The Alchemist said...

neenaballerina- You're welcome, i'm happy to be of service.

I agree, dogs bring such joy to our lives.

Tanya - Thanks! Yeah, I reccomend a trip to Oregon, it's just gorgeous. Thank you, we love him.
I love Jack Russell's, they are ao smart.

Jaime said...

*tears* Even though you said the dog has a home to go to, reading your story of possibly having to send it to that home brought tears to my eyes! I hope everything works out!

The pictures from your trip are beautiful! And those brownies! Oh my word! I'm searching my kitchen to see if I have all of the ingredients to make these NOW!!

I would love to invite you to link this recipe at Mom's Test Meal Mondays! This week is all about desserts!

Have a great Monday!

Tobins' Tastes said...

Anything that has "really fudgy" in front of it gets my attention. Those look amazing!

Thanks so much for sharing at Mealtime Monday!

Kaylee
www.couponingncooking.com

Angie@Echoes of Laughter said...

I love the story about the little dog....so glad you got to keep her and that she and Lucien get along so well! There is nothing better than a fudgy brownie! Although we use a different recipe, our family makes fudgy brownies in one bowl too! Angie xo

Angie@Echoes of Laughter said...

I love the story about the little dog....so glad you got to keep her and that she and Lucien get along so well! There is nothing better than a fudgy brownie! Although we use a different recipe, our family makes fudgy brownies in one bowl too! Angie xo

Winnie said...

Gosh - I'm in tears now
But I was sooooooo glad to read that she stays with you :):)

I almost forgot that I came to check out the brownies (LOL)
Yes - they definitely look moist and fudgy

Unknown said...

I try to take a dessert to my Sunday School kids every week and last week they requested brownies, so I've been on the hunt for a good recipe. I think I just found it. These look divine! Can't wait to share them. I'll be sure to refer back to you on my blog when I post about them :) New follower! Yay for being blog friends!

Carole said...

Great post. I found you via the Tuesday Talent Show from Chef in Training
I have linked a pizza I did with leftover roast chicken. Have a good week.

The Alchemist said...

Zachary and Sarah @ HHG - I think your Sunday School kids will like them. Thanks for following me! I'm off to check out your blog, totally yay for being blogging friends!

Carole, your pizza sounds great! Thanks for stopping by.

Winnie - Thanks!

Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

Oh the fudginess! My mouth is watering.

madge | the vegetarian casserole queen said...

Great recipe! Great pictures! Even better story and happy ending. I can't believe they decided to let you keep her! Congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Miz Helen said...

I am so excited to see your Hood River Photo's, we are heading that way very soon and just can't wait! Your brownies look amazing, wish I had one right now. Hope you have a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

Deana said...

I'm featuring this at tonights Link and Greet Party @ CountryMommaCooks : )

Sarah said...

I tend to have seasonal cravings for chocolate and this sure seems to be one of them. After seeing this recipe, i must make it immediately! Thanks for sharing... !!

The Alchemist said...

Deana- thank you so much!

Miz Helen - Wow, you're coming up here from Texas, that's awesome!
I think you'll like it.

Madge- thank you so much! I know I couldn't believe it either.

Sarah - You're welcome! I think you'll like them.

Kristin said...

#1 I don't see how I could possibly "let them refrigerate". I tend to scoop brownies out of the pan while they're still steaming.

#2 How could they possibly last FOUR days? I'd give them 12 hours in my house (and it's just me :)

Roxanne Gravel said...

I made one batch of these two weeks ago and now I've had to make them four times for different people who can't get enough. We put this one in the family recipe book, thank you!

The Alchemist said...

Roxanne - Awesome! I'm so glad to hear you all like them. I love hearing that. Thanks for letting me know! This reminds me, I need to make them again for myself soon, I'm having a chocolate craving and these will definately hit the spot!

Unknown said...

Wow! These were so heavenly. i used one teaspoon of almond extract and 1/2 a teaspoon of vanilla extract and it just gave it this perfect touch. So many of your recipes are so wonderful. I am so glad that i found you.

Unknown said...

I just made this brownies today, and its delicious :)
So fudgy but still so yummy, my family loves it!

Kristen said...

I made these last night. They were delicious! With our convection oven (we used traditional bake, not convection) and 35 minutes was too long. Probably 25-30 minutes next time I make this.

Stephanie said...

Melissa, your brownies are wonderful! I’m embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I’ve made homemade brownies. Not only were they delicious, but they cut so beautifully. I’ve had such difficulty cutting neat squares from brownies made from a box, and couldn’t believe how easy it was to get perfectly neat squares following your instructions. Thank you, Melissa, for a wonderful recipe for a classic favorite of my Daughter’s! She definitely wants me to make brownies using your recipe from now on! Thank you, also, for sharing your wonderful vacation to Hood River, Oregon, with us. I've never been to Oregon before, even though I live in Northern California. I also LOVED the story of how Coco became a part of your family! The photo of Lucien and Coco together is absolutely priceless! Stephanie