Creamy or Crunchy? Brownies Bittman Style

In the debate over creamy or crunchy my family is pretty much split down the middle and they are no wishy washy people. No one whom I can sway my way - crunchy of course. But one thing they ALL agree on (except me darn it) is that Brownies should never, never ever, ever never have nuts in them.

Today, in order to play along with the creamy crunchy theme I am attempting to trick the little BIG buggers! I am adding a 1/4 cup cashew butter to the batter. Yum, I know I will like it but I am not so sure of everyone else.

I have never, before today attempted homemade brownies. I have often ruined boxed brownies - getting the center cooked is a mystery to me. Thankfully Bittman says in his book How to Cook Everything that it is better to underbake brownies than over bake them.

I followed the recipe exactly - shocking I know. I added the cashew butter but that was in his addins.

Brownies by Mark Bittman

8 TBS (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus a little for the pan

3 oz unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup all purpose flour

pinch salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup peanut butter (cashew)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8" or 9" square pan with butter (lined with aluminum foil then buttered makes clean up WAY easier)

2. Combine the butter and chocolate in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate is just about melted remove from burner and keep stirring until it is fully melted.

3. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the sugar. Then add in the eggs ONE at a time. Gently stir in the flour salt, vanilla and cashew butter.  Pour and scrape into the prepared pan and bake until just barely set in the middle. 20-25 minutes. Cool on a rack before cutting. Store, covered, at room temp for no more than a day. (this shouldn't be a problem here!)

Next time I am going to try the Cream Cheese option - (I didn't notice it until right now, my sous chef was in a hurry to get to licking the spoon.)

Now for the taste test.......

MMMMM Good!

I do think they were a little dry. It might have been the cashew butter - but I liked that addition. We added whipped cream and that "wetted" the brownie just right - you will NEED a glass of milk with these.

I will be linking this to the Tackling Bittman Recipe Hop - hosted by myself and some other amazing bloggers! Please join us with your Bittman Recipes Link Ups!






I am also linking this to Brenda's Canadian Kitchen's Cookbook Sunday