Cooking Thursday

I made these brownies for the first time last week. They had rave reviews on Pinterest, so I thought I would try them. They are a little more time consuming than my regular recipe, but not bad. Bob thought they were awesome, and I'm warning you that you might not want to even try them, because they are so good, and they'll make you gain weight just by looking at them!  Because they are so rich, they don't replace regular brownies, but they are a good occasional treat!

Flourless Chocolate Brownies

2 cups (12-oz. pkg.)Semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup cocoa
4 large eggs
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 300º F. Line 9-inch-square baking pan with foil. Grease bottom and sides.

Heat 1 1/2 cups morsels, butter and water in medium, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until morsels and butter are melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in cocoa until smooth. Remove from heat.

Beat eggs and sugar in medium mixer bowl until thick, about 4 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract. Fold 1/3 of egg mixture into chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining egg mixture, one half at a time, until thoroughly incorporated.  Pour into prepared pan.

 Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until risen in center and edges start to get firm and shiny (center may still move and appear underbaked). Cool completely in pan on wire rack (center may sink slightly). Cover; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Place cream in small, uncovered, microwave-safe dish. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 25 to 30 seconds. Add remaining 1/2 cup morsels. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes; stir until chocolate is melted.

 Spread ganache over chilled brownie. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Using two opposite sides of foil, carefully lift the entire brownie out of the pan and place on cutting board. Carefully peel away foil from brownie. Cut into bars. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

* These brownies are almost like fudge, cut into small pieces!