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Quick and easy recipes you can make for your family and friends. Published by Julie Tran Deily

Chewy Brownies from Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook & Giveaway

Julie Deily · 258 Comments

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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

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.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 24 brownies

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

Instructions

  • 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.)

Notes

From Cook's Illustrated Cookbook, reprinted in its entirety with permission
Did you make my Chewy Brownies?I want to see! Upload an image below with your rating and comments, share on Instagram and tag @TheLittleKitchn, and be sure to use the hashtag #thelittlekitchenrecipes.
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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.

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Julie of The Little Kitchen

Hi, I'm Julie!

Welcome to The Little Kitchen! I'm Julie and I love to cook, bake, eat and share (not necessarily in that order). I share easy recipes, stories about my family (which includes my pets) and my travels. And I actually do have a little kitchen.

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    Comments

    1. Sand says

      I’m a big fan of America’s Test Kitchen and would love to win this cookbook because I’m always on the hunt for new recipes.

    4. brian e. says

      Thanks for the giveaway…we love watching America’s Test Kitchen to hone our kitchen technique !

      senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

    10. Jennifer J says

      I love Americas Test Kitchen, I have the ATK cookbooks and I watch them on PBS on Sunday. Thanks!

    11. Javelin Warrior says

      Love this post – so much so that I’m featuring it in this week’s Food Fetish Friday series (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and I’m always inspired by your creations… Thanks so much for sharing.

    16. Robin says

      I *love* America’s Test Kitchen! Such a fan!
      So nice to never have to question their recipes, they always turn out perfectly!

    17. tallcapp says

      I am definitely a fan of American Test Kitchen and have often watched it over the years.

    18. Danielle Williams says

      Are you a fan of America’s Test Kitchen? YES I love the way they try out products that we really use. ALSO I am addicted to cookbooks I love trying out new recipes!

    21. deana c says

      I would love this book because I collect cookbooks and would love to add this to my shelves.

    26. Stephanie says

      I love ATK! I am a “health fanatic” who loves to cook and bake! I can trust their recipes to work without taste testing as I go. Thank you for a chance!

    29. Carolsue says

      I follow America’s Test Kitchen on Twitter as MsCarolsueA
      Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    30. Carolsue says

      I like Cook’s Illustrated on Facebook (Carolsue Anderson)
      Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    31. Carolsue says

      I subscribe to your newsletter via e-mail.
      Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    32. Carolsue says

      I like you on Facebook (Carolsue Anderson)
      Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    33. Carolsue says

      I love America’s Test Kitchen! I want to win because I am a cookbook junkie and this is one I don’t have (but I want).
      Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

    34. Jennifer says

      Love ATK! Would love this cookbook because of the tested recipes and all the hints. This is not just a collection, it is the best of the best!

    37. Christine says

      YES! I love ATK! I tried making these brownies but messed up the recipe and have yet to attempt again!

    43. Iris says

      I’m a fan of the show and Chris Kimball. I like how they explain the whys of cooking and baking.

    44. April says

      i love America’s Test Kitchen. I have one of thier cook books and use it frequently.

      I would love this cook book to give to a friend of mine. She subscribes to the magazine and would be quite excited.

    45. Miz Vickik says

      Hadn’t heard of America’s Test Kitchen before, but it sounds like I should check it out! Thanks!

    48. Tracy says

      Fan of ATK, long-time subscriber to CI. Would put the cookbook next to all the issues I’ve collected!

    57. alison says

      I just began following @thelittlekitchn on Twitter, and I tweeted about this giveaway! YAAY!

    59. alison says

      Are you a fan of America’s Test Kitchen? YES! I love America’s Test Kitchen. They are the consumate kitchen reference. I’m an information-nerd and a foodie, so the ATK crew provide the perfect storm to satisfy my recipe needs. LOVE THEM! Oh, I’ve also been known to watch ATK episodes on my laptop for hours at a time. I don’t have cable. 🙂

    63. Deb says

      I am a fan of America’s Test Kitchen because their cooking with their recipes ensures a successful product.

    64. Elise Reitshamer says

      I love America’s Test Kitchen! I’ve been watching for years because all of the recipes just WORK! As a food geek I love that they go into the science of why to do one thing versus another in a recipe!

      Oh and I follow ATK on twitter too and like them on Facebook! 🙂

    65. JaneC says

      I am a dedicated fan of America’s Test Kitchen and Christopher Kimball. The show just makes me want to go live in Vermont.
      I would love a copy of this Cookbook; I keep looking at it, but with all the cookbooks I have, I cannot quite talk myself into buying it. My husband always asks how I could possibly “need” another cookbook. If I won it, the whole issue would be solved.

    71. Tarah says

      I would love to win this cookbook because it should be in everyone’s kitchen but it’s not in mine yet!

    72. Mark C says

      I am a huge fan of America’s Test Kitchen and Christopher Kimball. I have Web subscriptions to America’s Test Kitchen, Cook’s Illustrated, and Cooks Country. And I record ATK and Cooks Illustrated episodes on TV. Even though I have access to a lot of these recipes, I’d really like to get a copy of this book for my wife. She is a fledgling cook and new mother. She loves food (esp recipes I’ve made from ATK), but she’s only recently ventured into the kitchen. She’s not a fan of technology like I am and much prefers cookbooks. And she prefers to select recipes that have “pictures”. I search by ingredients and can tell if a recipe is going to work by the ingredients and technique.

      This is the best part about ATK – you can trust that the recipe has been vetted by professionals an people that share a similar passion for food and cooking. It saves you the time searching around for a good recipe, reading through reviews trying to find that magical missing ingredient or technique that actually makes a recipe work better than the original. A busy mother and novice cook couldn’t ask for more than that. Thank you ATK! We love your recipes, your taste tests, and your equipment reviews!

    74. Brandon Smith says

      Yep, I’m a fan of Christopher Kimball’s. I find it especially entertaining that all the cooks he surrounds himself with – and his own demeanor – sound at first like he doesn’t know the least bit about cooking… but you subtly realize he is probably smarter than anyone in the room. Just a charming personality that fits his role perfectly.

    75. LP says

      I really appreciate that ATK does such rigorous testing, which prevents me from having to do it

    76. barbara says

      i love anything cooks, due to the fact all the recipes are tested, and you can easily make something that looks really hard, but easy to make! also, the tutorials are a god send! showing how to do things makes this sooo much better to cook with! they have made the mistakes for you, so you shine as a cook!

    77. JoAnn says

      I LOVE Cook’s Illustrated! I have a subscription to the magazine, which I read cover-to-cover. I would like to have all of the best recipes condensed into one source, though! Thanks! 🙂

    78. Katy Manck says

      I follow Cooks Illustrated on Twitter, get their email newsletter, subscribe to the print magazine and would LOVE to win a copy of their cookbook!

    80. Meryl says

      I’m a fan of America’s Test Kitchen – I love many of their recipes, especially their chocolate desserts!

    81. Kathy - Panini Happy says

      These brownies look incredible! I started receiving the ATK newsletter a few months ago – their testing process and attention to detail is just fascinating. Would love to try more of their recipes!

    83. Jennifer McKay says

      I want to win this book because I like to cook and these recipes look yummy

    84. Shannon S. in VA says

      I love Cooks Illustrated magazine! Would love to win this book. I checked it out from the local library and didn’t want to return it!

    96. DARA GATES says

      Yes, I am a fan of America’s Test Kitchen. Their recipes work and the pictures and directions are awesome

    100. Jenn C says

      I want this cookbook because I love cookbooks, and honestly can you ever have too many!?!

    101. Michelle P. says

      I “liked” Cook’s Illustrated on Facebook! Thanks for this great giveaway!

    103. Michelle P. says

      I love Cook’s Illustrated! I have been using this brownie recipe for several months and just LOVE it! I would love to try the other recipes in this book!

    105. Linda S. says

      I’m definitely a fan of America’s Test Kitchen, and their cookbooks; I have a couple of them, and the DVDs from one season.
      I have subscribed from time to time, but don’t have the space to keep them (and can’t bear to part with them), so this compilation over years would be perfect.

    106. janeh says

      I am a fan of America’s Test Kitchen, and I’ve wanted this cookbook for quite a while. It’s complete and clear and full of wonderful recipes.

    115. kelly says

      my husband is a huge fan of America’s Test Kitchen and Christopher Kimball. He is a foodie and would LOVE this cookbook

    116. Amanda says

      I have always loved Cooks Illustrated. I remember years ago I got a free magazine of theirs. Their recipes and information are great. I’d love to add their cookbook to my collection.

    133. Michelle B says

      I would love this cookbook. I have seen the tv show but dont have any of the cookbooks. It looks like this cookbook would be a good go-to cookbook as it seems to have a little bit of everything and would be very versatile for my family.

    138. fishgirl182 says

      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.

    139. nickie says

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

      nickieisis3atgmaildotcom

    145. Susan in the Boonies says

      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.
      😀
      And, no, you’re not crazy for wishing you’d been given that as a wedding gift. I’m right there with you!

    154. Lenore says

      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!

    162. Cheryl Kohan says

      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!!

    174. Shaina says

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

    175. Melinda Shapro says

      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!

    182. AC says

      I LOVE America’s Test Kitchen. I subscribe to Cooks Country and DVD every episode of both shows on PBS.

    190. jilliann m says

      i LOVE ATK! and i planned on making these brownies this weekend. they are my favorite brownie recipe ever! and your layer of extra large chocolate chunks at the bottom of the brownies looks so yummy! would love to win this cookbook as it’s not one that i have!

    200. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

      What a great giveaway and recipe, Julie! I’m a big fan of America’s Test Kitchen and have been since I found out they filmed a short distance away from where I used to live in Massachusetts! I’d love to win this cookbook to learn some of the classic recipes I haven’t yet learned. Thanks for sharing!

    204. Allison says

      If the rest of the recipes in the Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook are as good as this brownie recipe looks, then I will have plenty of fun cooking to do!

    205. [email protected] says

      Great giveaway Julie! I’ve got the Cook’s Illustrated “Best Recipes” cookbook and it is an all-time favorite!

      PS: I am a fan of America’s test kitchen and would love to see the rest of the amazing recipe in this book. 🙂

    207. naomi says

      Those brownies look bang’n, Julie! Holy mama – I want. I also want the book. I’m a huge fan American Test Kitchen. I get the magazine and I have the online paid subscription. LOVE them!

    208. kaying says

      I want to win this cookbook because ATK always has the best receipes, techniques, and reviews of kitchen gadgets.

    219. Jeanna Hudson says

      I want to win this book because I have received a few of the cooks illustrated magazines in the mail and many of the recipes in those magazines have become my new go to recipes. I’m sure this book would give me many more staple recipes!

    220. Ken G. says

      Huge fan of ATK, dvr it and roll through ’em when the mood strikes, which is often.

    225. Bunkycooks says

      I am a huge fan of their cookbooks and the show. Their recipes are usually spot on and well tested. Gotta love the test kitchen and Cook’s Illustrated!

    227. Alina says

      Love, LOVE, Love America’s Test Kitchen. I would love to to try new recipes from this giveaway.

    237. Megan J says

      I’ve only seen America’s Test Kitchen a couple times because I don’t have cable, but I have this cookbook and I LOVE it! Every recipe I’ve tried turns out great! I’d love to win another copy so I could gift it to a friend 🙂

    238. Kel says

      I would love to win this! I am a fan of ATK and enjoy trying recipes from their magazines.

    242. Barbara says

      Are you a fan of America’s Test Kitchen? Yes, I am!
      Are you a fan of Christopher Kimball’s? Yes, I am!
      I want to win because I love cookbooks and this seems really wonderful!

    250. jessica lynn says

      Those look flipping amazing! I used a variation of a Cook’s Illustrated recipe for my tiramisu and it’s the best I’ve ever had, which says a lot since I live in Italy. I need this book. NEED it!

    257. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

      Are you a fan of America’s Test Kitchen? = OMG this is too ironic but I have this book in my Amazon cart, saved…as of last nite. And a few others. I have wanted it for ages but have never sprung for it. I LOVE ATK and all their recipes!

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