May 18, 2012 // 258 comments »

Chewy Brownies from Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook & Giveaway


I made these brownies months ago and I can’t believe I’m just now sharing them with you. I received the Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook to review & am so happy to be sharing it with you. It has five brownie recipes with tons of variations on the five recipes. There are even seven chocolate cakes in this cookbook including one for a flourless chocolate cake that I’m dying to try. There are tons of chicken recipes, any recipe you can think of including two recipes for sangria – I love the drink section! Margaritas too!


Are you sitting down for this? This cookbook has over 2,000 tried, true and tested recipes. It’s over 20 years of hard work on the part of America’s Test Kitchen – the show, the magazines, which I’m a huge fan of. I love this book and will I get blasted for saying this? I wish this was the book I was given to me when we got married, instead I was given the Joy of Cooking. If I had to do it all over again…well, I would have to get married today since this book in it’s form wasn’t around when we got married nine years ago.


When I got this book in the mail, I went straight for the brownies section – why? Because I love them. My favorite way to have a brownie? Warm and underneath some vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. It’s a very simple brownie sundae but my favorite.

Chewy brownies – they call it, I had to try it. With three kinds of chocolate, I definitely had to try it. There’s cocoa powder and the unsweetened chocolate is chopped super fine.


And then when you’re almost done with the batter, add 1/2 inch pieces of bittersweet chocolate. I love this…I might have accidentally left them as one inch pieces but who is paying attention anyways?

They are called chewy brownies, right? Well they are and they are the most amazing brownies I have ever had. Try them, you’ll thank me for it!


If you’ll excuse me, I need to go make a batch of brownies…anyone want some?

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Chewy Brownies

Yield: 24 brownies

For an accurate measurement of boiling water, bring a full kettle of water to a boil, then measure out the desired amount. For the chewiest texture, it is important to let the brownies cool thoroughly before cutting. If your baking dish is glass, cool the brownies 10 minutes, then remove them promptly from the pan (otherwise, the superior heat retention of glass can lead to overbaking). Use high-quality chocolate in this recipe.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup (1 ounce) Dutch-processed cocoa
11/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder (optional)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs plus 2 large yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups (17 1/2 ounces) sugar
1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/2‑inch pieces

Directions:

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Make foil sling by folding 2 long sheets of aluminum foil so that they are as wide as 13 by 9‑inch baking pan (one 13‑inch sheet and one 9‑inch sheet). Lay sheets of foil in pan perpendicular to one another, with extra foil hanging over edges of pan. Push foil into corners and up sides of pan, smoothing foil flush to pan. Grease foil and set aside.

Whisk cocoa, espresso powder, if using, and boiling water together in large bowl until smooth. Add unsweetened chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted. Whisk in oil and melted butter. (Mixture may look curdled.) Add eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla and continue to whisk until smooth and homogeneous. Whisk  in sugar until fully incorporated. Whisk together flour and salt in small bowl and then mix into batter with rubber spatula until combined. Fold in bittersweet chocolate pieces.

Transfer batter to prepared pan; spread batter into corners of pan and smooth surface. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of brownies comes out with few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool for 11/2 hours.

Remove brownies from pan using foil. Return brownies to wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour. Cut brownies into 2‑inch squares and serve. (Brownies can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.)

From Cook's Illustrated Cookbook, reprinted in its entirety with permission


Please do not republish our recipes and images without prior permission. We ask that you do not copy & paste recipes and share them elsewhere. If you liked the recipe and would like to share it, we just ask that you REWRITE the instructions entirely and provide a link back to give us credit and be sure to use your own images when doing so. Here's a great article on how to properly attribute a recipe.

And now for the fun part…thanks to America’s Test Kitchen, we’re giving away a copy of:

The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook (value $40) – Congrats to Jennifer! Enjoy this awesome cookbook!

How to Enter

Answer any one of these questions: Are you a fan of America’s Test Kitchen? Are you a fan of Christopher Kimball’s? Tell me why you want to win this book.

Extra Entries

For five more extra chances to win, leave a separate comment for each type, saying you did the following:

  1. ‘Like’ The Little Kitchen on facebook
  2. Subscribe to The Little Kitchen via email
  3. Follow The Little Kitchen on twitter and tweet the following:
    Enter to win a copy of Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook from @TestKitchen & @TheLittleKitchn http://bit.ly/L4cNHp ends 5/25
  4. Like Cook’s Illustrated on facebook
  5. Follow America’s Test Kitchen on twitter

Details

U.S. only. One winner will be chosen at random from all of the comments/entries posted here on this post. Be sure to do the mandatory entry and you’re entered into the giveaway. The extra entries are optional. Don’t cheat & The Little Kitchen or the sponsor has a right to cancel the giveaway at any time. Giveaway ends on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook for this purpose of a review, I was not compensated. I only share my favorite brands & products on The Little Kitchen and of course the opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post does contain affiliate links.

Posted in Bars, Desserts, Giveaways, Recipes
258 comments »
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258 Responses to “Chewy Brownies from Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook & Giveaway”

1 2 3 4 5 … 7
  1. Melinda Shapro — May 18, 2012 @ 2:40 pm

    I already follow America’s Test Kitchen on FB

  2. Melinda Shapro — May 18, 2012 @ 2:41 pm

    I know follow Cook’s Illustrated on FB

  3. Melinda Shapro — May 18, 2012 @ 2:43 pm

    I’ve been a Cook’s Illustrated subscriber for many years and watch America’s Test Kitchen every Saturday on PBS. I like Christopher Kimball because he is such a food geek, like me! I have many, many magazines but only one cookbook. I’d love to win this one so I could try new recipes with my son, who is becoming a food nerd too!

  4. Shaina — May 18, 2012 @ 2:44 pm

    Chewy brownies! Oh my. I want them. In my mouth. I won’t share with my cake-brownie-eating husband, though. Shh.

  5. Jeanette — May 18, 2012 @ 2:57 pm

    Oh my, just look at those decadent brownies – ooey and gooey!

  6. Jen M O — May 18, 2012 @ 2:58 pm

    I like Cook’s Illustrated on facebook.

  7. Jen M O — May 18, 2012 @ 2:59 pm

    I follow America’s Test Kitchen on twitter.

  8. Valerie at The Year of Living Healthfully — May 18, 2012 @ 2:59 pm

    I love Cook’s Illustrated for the background information on the recipe. They always give reasons for why they are preparing something in a particular way.

  9. Valerie at The Year of Living Healthfully — May 18, 2012 @ 2:59 pm

    I like you on FB.

  10. Valerie at The Year of Living Healthfully — May 18, 2012 @ 3:00 pm

    I like Cook’s Illustrated on FB.

  11. Mandy Blank — May 18, 2012 @ 3:08 pm

    I’m always looking for new tried and true recipes!

  12. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — May 18, 2012 @ 3:22 pm

    I actually just picked up a magazine of theres the other day! Would LOVE to add this to my cookbook collection.

  13. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — May 18, 2012 @ 3:23 pm

    I like you on fb

  14. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — May 18, 2012 @ 3:23 pm

    I follow ATK on twitter

  15. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — May 18, 2012 @ 3:24 pm

    I like CI on FB… and btw seriously these brownies look so awesome

  16. Cheryl Kohan — May 18, 2012 @ 4:18 pm

    I love America’s Test Kitchen and have signed up for their newsletter!! I would love to have this cookbook because their website is amazing so it makes sense that the cookbook would be equally amazing!!

  17. Thyme (Sarah) — May 18, 2012 @ 4:25 pm

    That last photo has the drool beginning to flow. My goodness those brownies look so delicious.

  18. Natasha D. — May 18, 2012 @ 5:18 pm

    I really like America’s Test Kitchen. Their tips and recipes are wonderful!

  19. Natasha D. — May 18, 2012 @ 5:19 pm

    I liked The Little Kitchen on facebook.

  20. Natasha D. — May 18, 2012 @ 5:20 pm

    I subscribed via email.

  21. Natasha D. — May 18, 2012 @ 5:22 pm

    I follow you on Twitter and I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Bostitch65/status/203596292998434816

  22. Natasha D. — May 18, 2012 @ 5:23 pm

    I like Cook’s Illustrated on facebook.

  23. Natasha D. — May 18, 2012 @ 5:23 pm

    I follow America’s Test Kitchen on twitter.

  24. Lenore — May 18, 2012 @ 6:47 pm

    Hooooly cow I love chewy brownies! I also love America’s Test Kitchen, and have been trying to justify why I need to spend $40 on another cookbook just so I can get this one!

    Also, as a side note…you’ve been married NINE YEARS??? Holy cow! Go you!

  25. Lenore — May 18, 2012 @ 6:47 pm

    I like The Little Kitchen on facebook :)

  26. Lenore — May 18, 2012 @ 6:48 pm

    I subscribe to The Little Kitchen via email :)

  27. Lenore — May 18, 2012 @ 6:50 pm

    I follow The Little Kitchen on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway here: https://api.twitter.com/#!/orlndofoodie/status/203618328986656768

  28. Lenore — May 18, 2012 @ 6:51 pm

    I liked Cook’s Illustrated on Facebook.

  29. Lenore — May 18, 2012 @ 6:51 pm

    I follow America’s Test Kitchen on Twitter! :)

  30. amy @ fearless homemaker — May 18, 2012 @ 7:20 pm

    these look fantastic! i’m a huge fan of America’s Test Kitchen, so i’d looove to win this giveaway. =)

  31. Jaselle — May 18, 2012 @ 9:08 pm

    I love Taste Test Kitchen :) And I would love to have this cookbook :)

  32. Paula- bell'alimento — May 18, 2012 @ 10:40 pm

    I am drooling Julie. Just gorgeous and now I want a pan of those brownies!

  33. Susan in the Boonies — May 18, 2012 @ 11:35 pm

    I’m a huge fan of America’s Test Kitchens, AND Chris Kimball.
    I think he needs new music for Cook’s Country at the opening and closing of the show, but that’s a tiny matter, in the scheme of things.
    :-D
    And, no, you’re not crazy for wishing you’d been given that as a wedding gift. I’m right there with you!

  34. Susan in the Boonies — May 18, 2012 @ 11:36 pm

    I like you on Facebook.

  35. Susan in the Boonies — May 18, 2012 @ 11:37 pm

    I have subscribed to you via email.

  36. Susan in the Boonies — May 18, 2012 @ 11:39 pm

    I follow you on Twitter and I tweeted your tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/BoonieSooze/status/203690944535592960

  37. Susan in the Boonies — May 18, 2012 @ 11:40 pm

    I like Cooks Illustrated on Facebook

  38. Susan in the Boonies — May 18, 2012 @ 11:41 pm

    I follow America’s Test Kitchen on Twitter.

  39. nickie — May 18, 2012 @ 11:42 pm

    I need a cookbook and this seems to be a really good one.

    nickieisis3atgmaildotcom

  40. fishgirl182 — May 19, 2012 @ 1:42 am

    i am a fan of the magazine as well and have been wanting to pick up this book every time i see it. and i LOVE brownie sundaes. seriously i order them wherever i see them on a menu and it’s always hard for me not to eat a whole tray of brownies. yours look awesome.

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