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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

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!




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

  1. I like Mark Bittman's recipe. This is super delicious.

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  2. Brownie + warm milk = breakfast or supper! Come summer, mix brownie into ice-cream (yes, not the other way round)!

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  3. I am in the crunchy camp; however, I have never turned down a brownie because it didn't have nuts. In my book, even bad brownies are good :)

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  4. They look rich and delicious, I would want a cup of strong coffee and cream with my brownie.

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  5. Okay, this is the second Bittman brownie recipe I've seen on a food blog. I think you Bittman types are trying to tell me something. Okay, okay I'll make them already! :) Thanks for the reminder!

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  6. Oh, cashew butter, me likey! I'm totally gonna use some in my next batch of brownies...ah Bitty.... LOL, these sound amazing...and I would be bogarting that spoon, too!! ;)

    Oh, and I like crunchy OR creamy...simply depends on the day. Or hour.

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  7. I love my brownies gooey to the max. My kids love brownies anyway they can get them. No nuts for us either. And what a cutie pie!

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  8. Bittman is a genius. And so are you for choosing this variation! I have some cashew butter in the cabinet. Hmmm...

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  9. When it comes to brownies, I am happy with either crunchy or creamy. I'll eat anything if encased in some kind of brownie mixture! REcently, I made brownies with chocolate chips in them and THAT was a great hit for everyone in my camp. Cashew butter - what an incredible idea!

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  10. Swathi - he has so many great recipes - and yes this is delicious!

    Tiger - I let my kids eat brownies for breakfast - especially when they are full of all this goodness! OH, and in icecream - brilliant!

    Louanne - too true sister, too true - brownies are always worth eating!

    Melynda - coffee would be great with these!

    Melodie - LOL - you are just going to have to give them a try!

    Heather - I love the cashew butter in it, just the right amount of nuts!

    Lisa - thanks (I think she is pretty cute too LOL) if I don't want to share I just put nuts in them!

    Joanne - wow, I am rarely (can't think of a time actually) called a genius, and with my favorite cookbook author - well you made my day!

    Patt - I have added chocolate chips before and my kids gobbled them up - I love how versatile brownies are!

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  11. Christy - your brownies look great, and I love the idea of adding the cashew butter. I remember when we were cooking with Bittman for IHCC lots of people made his brownies and raved about them - I have yet to try, but definitely on the list. Maybe next month!

    I'm so thrilled to be joining in with you to be hosting this event :-)

    Sue

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  12. See, Christy, this is how I know we will always be friends - you "wet" dry brownie with whipped cream. I heart you.

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  13. I agree on no nuts in brownies. I don't mind nuts sometimes, but never ever in a brownie. :o) I have problems with brownies too - getting that middle cooked without burning beyond recognition the edges. ARGH! Your brownies look yummy, especially with whipped cream. Thank you so much for sharing with Cookbook Sundays!

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  14. I'm also a no nut brownie gal too. But, love brownies! One of my favorite foods to eat for anything.

    Thanks for sharing with the Tackling Bittman Recipe Hop!

    Dr. Laura

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  15. I made these brownies a while ago and I am trying to remember what I thought. I know it was good but I have no details. I guess, thanks to you, I have to make them again.

    Such hardship. :)

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