A Grown-Up Brownie (Mexican Brownie)

Almost no one turns down a brownie.  Honestly, why would they?  Brownies are a delicious, easy to eat, simple pleasure.  Limitless variations of this classic treat exist: from dense, gooey, fudge-like squares, to light, cake-like frosted treats.  Although the brownie supposedly was created in 1893 by The Palmer House Hotel, the first well-known brownie recipe did not appear until the 1896 version of the well-known Boston Cooking-School Cook Book, by Fannie Farmer.  With Americans’ love of sweets, it did not take long for brownies to become a popular favorite for everything from lunchbox treats to restaurant dessert menus.  In my recipe for Mexican brownies, the use of cinnamon and cayenne pepper give these brownies a unique flavor, with a twinge of unexpected heat.  Serve with a generous scoop of you favorite flavor ice cream, and you have a fantastic dessert suitable for even a dinner party with friends.  The cayenne pepper can easily be adjusted higher or lower depending on your (or your family members’) likes.

Mexican Brownie

May 1, 2017

Servings: 8

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 35 min

Total: 50 min

Difficulty: easy

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By: simmerandsauce

Ingredients

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions

• Step 1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line the bottom of an 8×8 square baking pan with parchment or a well greased 8 or 9-inch cast iron pan. Lightly grease the parchment and pan. Set aside.
• Step 2 In a small saucepan, melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter over low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat, mix well and cool slightly.
• Step 3 In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Mix until well incorporated.
• Step 4 Add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla and mix well.
• Step 5 Add the flour and whisk until blended. Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Step 6 Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, even the top with a rubber tip spatula. Bake on the middle rack for 35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
• Step 7 Once the brownies have cooled completely, remove from the pan. Serve with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.