barefoot brownies

I love an excuse to bake & Valentine's Day is just that! 

I baked my FAVORITE brownies (recipe below) 

by the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) for my SWEET volunteers.

 mmmmm..... walnuts.

I do NOT suggest cutting these brownies in the morning 
BEFORE you've eaten breakfast (like I did), 
there is too much temptation and you may end up with a stomach ache (again, like i did).NO brownies left behind! 

I chopped the edges and scraps to serve as brownie bite.

Bag them up!
Behind the scenes.

Outrageous Brownies 

1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Ingredients

• 1 pound unsalted butter
• 1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 6 extra-large eggs
• 3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and flour a 12 x 18 x 1-inch baking sheet (I used 2 baking sheets).

Melt together the butter, 1 pound of chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate in a medium bowl over simmering water. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee granules, vanilla, and sugar. Stir the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, and salt. Add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of flour, then add them to the chocolate batter. Pour into the baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, then rap the baking sheet against the oven shelf to force the air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake! Allow to cool thoroughly, refrigerate, and cut into 20 large squares. Or 32 pairs of hearts, a bunch of brownie bites and a bag of scraps ;-)

Did i mention these are NOT low-fat? Just sayin.

Happy Valentine's Day!