Decadent Butterscotch Chocolate Brownies
- Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup pecan halves; coarsely chopped if very large
- 2 teaspoons butter
- heaping 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt*
- 1 3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar, dark or light
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla; OR 6 drops butter-rum or butterscotch flavor, preferred for best flavor
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 2/3 cup butterscotch chips
- *If you use salted butter, reduce the salt to ¼ teaspoon.
Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) a 9" x 13" pan.
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2) To prepare the pecans: Melt 2 teaspoons butter with a heaping 1/8 teaspoon salt; add pecans, tossing to coat. Bake the nuts in the preheated 350°F oven for 8 to 9 minutes, till they're a rich, golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and turn them out of the pan to cool slightly while you make the brownie batter.
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3) In a microwave-proof bowl, or in a saucepan set over low heat, melt together the butter and chocolate chips, stirring to melt the chips.
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4) Put the espresso powder, salt, brown sugar, baking soda, and flavor in a mixing bowl. Add the chocolate/butter mixture, stirring to combine.
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5) Add the eggs, mixing till smooth.
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6) Stir in the flour. Then quickly stir in the chips, and toasted pecans. You want to work quickly; stirring the still-warm batter too long will melt the chips.
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7) Spoon the thick batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula (or your wet fingers) to spread it to the edges of the pan, and level it as best you can.
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8) Bake the bars for 22 to 25 minutes; the edges will just barely be pulling away from the edges of the pan, and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center will come out clean.
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9) Immediately loosen the brownies from the pan all around the edge, and gently press down the edges; this will help prevent tall edges and a sunken center.
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10) Serve warm, or at room temperature. Wrap airtight and store at room temperature.
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