Supernatural Brownies

DESSERT

Supernatural Brownies

Test kitchen tip: For best flavor, bake a day before serving, let cool and store, tightly wrapped.

2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup dark brown sugar, such as muscovado

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup whole walnuts, optional

Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with buttered parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter and chocolate together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk eggs. Whisk in salt, sugars and vanilla.

Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. If using chopped walnuts, stir them in. Pour batter into prepared pan. If using whole walnuts, arrange on top of batter. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack. Makes 15 large or 24 small brownies.

Per large brownie (without walnuts): 327 calories, 53 percent calories from fat, 19 grams total fat, 11 grams saturated fat, 82 milligrams cholesterol, 40 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram total fiber, 32 grams total sugars, 39 grams net carbs, 3 grams protein, 112 milligrams sodium.

Per large brownie (with walnuts): 353 calories, 56 percent calories from fat, 22 grams total fat, 11 grams saturated fat, 82 milligrams cholesterol, 40 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams total fiber, 32 grams total sugars, 39 grams net carbs, 4 grams protein, 112 milligrams sodium.

Adapted from Chocolate: From Simple Cookies to Extravagant Showstoppers (Morrow Cookbooks, 1998) by Nick Malgieri.