Thomas Keller makes brownies?
I love chocolate. Who doesn’t? My craving goes into overdrive in the colder weather but I am guessing I’m not the only one. I am, however, very picky with what type of chocolate dessert I put into my mouth. I am not a chocolate snob, I’ll have a Kit Kat as the next person, but if it is homemade might as well make the best, right? I’m not talking about plated desserts with intricate designs and complicated sauces. My chocolate incarnation of choice is much simpler than that. I’ve been hoodwinked before by this dessert called “Death by Chocolate” hyped as a seven layer extravaganza, well it was more like a seven-layer flop. No, I prefer my chocolate simpler but full-strength. I prefer it in brownie doses.
I believe Alice Medrich has the best brownie recipes and it’s hard to fathom even trying anyone else’s. Except, of course if that someone is Thomas Keller. He has come out with a new book, “Ad hoc at home” and it is full of interesting and accessible recipes for the serious food enthusiast. I haven’t read this book in-depth yet, but I am loving those light-bulb moments where he gives you cooking tips and techniques.
The taste of this brownie reminds me of the flavor of Keller’s bouchons. It is intensely chocolatey, but I still prefer my brownies with more chew which is what I get when I make Medrich’s version. The “Hungry” Hubby though, loves this brownie version and that is saying a lot since he is not a dessert person.
Sorry for the short post, but I think I’ve said enough about my love of brownies here and here.
Yummy gooey chips
Brownies
Thomas Keller "Ad hoc at home"
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened alkalized cocoa powder
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-tablespoon pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste
6 ounces 61 to 64% chocolate, chopped into chip-sized pieces ( about 1 1/2 cups)Powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat the oven to 350F. We use a 9-inch square silicone mold, because it keeps the edges from overcooking; if you use a metal or glass baking pan, butter and flour it. Set aside.
Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside
Melt half the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Put the remaining butter in a medium bowl. Pour the melted butter and stir to melt the butter. The butter should look creamy, with small bits of unmelted butter, and be at room temperature.
In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, mix together the eggs and sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes, or until thick and very pale. Mix in the vanilla. On low speed, add about one-third of the dry ingredients, then add one-third of the butter, and continue alternating the remaining flour and butter. Add the chocolate and mix to combine. (The batter can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.)
Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester or wooden skewer poked into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs sticking to it. If the pick comes out wet, test a second time, because you may have hit a piece of chocolate chip; then bake for a few more minutes longer if necessary. Cool in the pan until the brownie is just a bit warmer than room temperature.
Run a knife around the edges if not using a silicone mold, and invert the brownie onto a cutting board. Cut into 12 rectangles. Dust the tops with powdered sugar just before serving. (The brownies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.)
They look scrumptious like hell and so fudgy!
Cheers,
Rosa
What gorgeous brownies. I love the photo and the soft effect of the powdered sugar on top. I’ve never tried her desserts so I’m going to hunt the book down now. Thanks for sharing this incredible recipe!
It seems that the butter proportion was omitted? How much butter should we use?
Thanks…it really looks fudgy
Oh yum! These look SO unbelievably good…I love brownies, they’re one of my favorite desserts of all time. Lovely photos
They look really super moist. May I know that of butter? I don’t have the cookbook yet. love the closed-up photo, I could see every layer including the chopped chocolates.
Ah Veron – I have been waiting for this post – I just ordered the book on amazon and cannot wait for it to arrive! The first recipe I am going to try is this… but if I can’t wait I’ll just use the one on your site – this looks fab!
Thanks Rosa!
Thanks El – I wasn’t too sure about the powdered sugar on top of brownie but it actually works for this one.
Thanks Betty Q.! for catching that. Fixed.
Hi S. I love brownies too, especially right out of the oven.
Hi Divina – I seem to be forgetting ingredients lately, but I’ve updated the butter.
Hi Trissa – You will love the book, can’t wait to cook more stuff from it.
Love his books, will have to get this latest. He can be complicated but the techniques and learning are always fabulous.
Beautiful brownies!
Lovely! So delicious looking!
Tanna! I missed you!
Thanks AbowlofMush!
I love cakey brownies like that! Well, in fact, I think there is room for all brownies in this world, so we should all eat as many as we can!
I’m not much of a brownie person, but these look delish. Leave it to a Keller recipe to change my mind.
Ha, those aren’t brownies- Those are slabs of pure, baked fudge! So decadent!
I’m crazy about good brownies. This is a recipe I’ll have to try. They look delicious.
I just did a post on brownies and can’t wait to try this recipe! I am still on the hunt for that perfect combo of ingredients.
you’ll be surprised at the number of friends i have who don’t like chocolate
its so sad!
hahaha! but its okay, that means if i were to make these, i’ll have more to myself
or maybe i’ll make them chocolate converts!
love how moist they look.
can just imagine sinking my teeth into those.
mmm.
Wow these look great, you have a great site
I will be venturing on here often!
Yummy – I read a review about the Keller book, that was somewhat critical of the fact that the recipes are positioned as simple, but many are quite complicated. However, these brownies look like something even I could master!
Hmm… I’m a huge fan of Alice Medrich’s recipe, but this one is intriguing. Brownies are wonderful things, in every incarnation!
These look so chocolaty that they almost look raw! How fun. Hope you enjoy a few of these treats on your halloween! Have a great one
i love gooey brownies too!! they look divine!! i cant resist!!
My gosh, they look absolutely delicous…i’ve saved those pics..is that sad?
These look seriously good. I’ve been hooked on the brownie recipe from ‘Baked’ which I saw over at Lemonpi. I’m not game to try anything else either – except maybe this version!
These look so gooey and delicious!
I’ve been looking for a good recipie i hope mine turn out like that. Thanks for sharing
Oh my gosh.. i shouldn’t have clicked on your blog.
What am i gonna do now? No chocolate in sight.. i want to jump into my computer screen!
Awesome brownies, I like the look of the texture, very moist! well done babe!
Just found your blog. I love brownies. Will try this. At the same time, am curious about the Alice Medrich version–can you share this?
Yum…Meeee….I love the thought of the batter being able to stay in the fridge for a week. On demand Brownies are right up this gals alley. Thanks for sharing, Veron.
these look so delicious and gooey, cant wait to try them, wonderful!
Mmm…those look wonderful. I just need a glass of ice cold milk. Cheers!
Ad Hoc at Home Recipes « Dance4 Nov 13, 2009 at 1:57 pm
[...] crispy braised chicken thighs with lemon and fennel, blowtorch prime rib, leek bread pudding, brownies, and the famous buttermilk fried [...]
What a beautiful, beautiful blog! Your pictures are tastefully put together and so lovely.
Can’t wait for a chance to try these brownies!
A LOT of people swear by Alice Medrich’s brownies!