So Good Brownies

I feel like a walking, talking, blogging... advertisement for Southern Living somedays. We clearly live by it in our house. But I will say that this Southern Living recipe (from August 2009) really could be considered for the title of The Best Brownies. The are very easy to make. And SL claims, and I agree, that these solve the debate between those who like cake-textured brownies and those who love gooey ones.

I made these last week, also for the last day of swim practice, and my kids and the lifeguards at Freedom Center loved them. As you can see in the pictures below, I had a rookie mistake in the kitchen (so embarrassing!!). I put in my first pan of brownies, only to turn around and discover an unused cup of flour. Oops! I tried to whisk it in in the pan, because it was nearly impossible to pour the batter back into the mixing bowl. But when it came out of the oven again, there was clearly a problem and an obvious difference between them and the pan I did NOT mess up. Sadly, they had to be thrown away. But seriously, a rookie mistake!

So Good Brownies

4 (1-oz.) unsweetened chocolate baking squares
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.

2. Microwave chocolate squares and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in granulated and brown sugars. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Whisk in flour, vanilla, and salt.

3. Pour mixture into prepared pan.

4. Bake at 350 for 40 to 44 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles. Gently remove foil, and cut brownies into 16 squares.

Yummy! Fresh out of the oven!

This is what happens when you forget the cup of flour! Don't know if you can tell how flat they are and how ridiculous they look.