A Southern Grace: reverse fake

February 21, 2017

reverse fake

Yum

Fudgy brownies. My husband likes brownies from a box. I get it, they remind him of childhood.


As a pretty arrogant baker, I was sure I could replicate the brownies made with a mix from scratch. This batch actually came pretty close to resembling the ones we both recall eating as kids, and they disappeared in just a few days, and always with a glass of milk. Do you ever wonder who first decided to chase brownies or chocolate chip cookies with a gulp of milk? I do, and I hope she knew she was a genius.


I suspect this is the type of recipe that will yield very different results for different people, or even for the same person on different occasions. Regardless, I'll bet they'll still be delicious every time.

Brownies From a Box From Scratch
(printable recipe)
Makes 9 small brownies
Ingredients:
  • 10 tablespoons (1-1/4 sticks) butter
  • 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for one minute and stir, then heat at 15-second intervals until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
Set the mixture aside until it cools slightly.
Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one.
When the batter looks thick, shiny, and is well-blended, add the flour and stir until no white flecks remain, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula.
Spread evenly in the greased pan.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.
Cut into squares and serve (with milk).

13 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Love these dark brownies..so moist and fantastic made from the scratch.

Juliana said...

I bet my husband will like these brownies...I might even add some nuts...thanks for the recipe Grace, they sure look moist and gooey and I am sure that are better than the box...
Have a great week ahead :)

Pam said...

Mmmm, mmm! Brownies from scratch, haven't made them in ages and need to after seeing this. I can imagine the aroma from your oven! And I love that purple napkin with the dark chocolate color and white!

Alicia Foodycat said...

Looks much nicer than any I have seen from a box!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

Moist, gooey, dark and delicious. My kind of brownies.

Pam said...

Rich, gooey, decadent - my kids would flip for these beauties!

Barbara said...

I confess, I've never made brownies from a box. But your version looks dark and chewy...exactly the way I like brownies.

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

I like all brownies, and wish I can reach across my laptop screen and eat one of these!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

The toughest part about scratch brownies is replicating the "papery" top which I recently learned how to do. Now I can get half whole wheat to work and mmmm! And BTW, your husband is a lucky man!

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

Guess I know what I am baking tomorrow!! I struggle with finding a brownie that I can truly be satisfied with. They are always just "off". Yours looks amazingly perfect!
Glad I am done with this Whole30 nonsense and can dive into a pan of these :)

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

So, I was getting ready to make these earlier. And I was thinking... are they really going to be "the one"? I do have so much trust in your recipes. We have such similar tastes when it comes to sweets, so I moved forward and baked.
Brownies are done. Verdict? Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

Unknown said...

These look so flipping fudgy! I loved boxed brownies as a kid, can't wait to give this recipe a go and make my house smell amazing. You're going to be my husband's favorite person :)

grace said...

@Big Rigs: I'm so happy they hit the spot for you, Kris!