Coconut-Almond-Crusted Brownies

These chocolate brownies are fudgy and rich and are topped with a delicious mixture of flaked coconut, chopped almonds and chocolate chips. I also used butterscotch chips because the ladies I was making them for like that flavor. The topping also has a pinch of salt in it which gives these brownies a nice sweet and salty flavor. 

These brownies are pure deliciousness!

Coconut-Almond-Crusted Brownies
adapted from Gourmet, 1996 - Inspired by this tasty blog

For topping
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup almonds (or pecans, walnuts), chopped
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4-1/2 c. mini-chocolate chips (I also used butterscotch)
For brownie layer
1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 large eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
More mini-chocolate chips, to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan, knocking out excess flour.

Make topping:
In a bowl stir together topping ingredients EXCEPT chocolate chips until combined well. When topping has cooled, add chocolate chips.

Make brownie layer
In a 1 1/2-quart saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat--or melt butter in large glass bowl in microwave. Remove pan from heat and stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition. Into a bowl sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt and stir into butter mixture until just combined well.

Spread batter evenly in pan, sprinkle with additional mini chocolate chips and topping. Bake brownies in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it. Cover with foil for last 15 minutes. DON'T overcook. They will seem a little gooey due to the melted chocolate pieces and the topping will be browned. Cool brownies completely in pan on a rack before cutting into small squares. Brownies keep, layered between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container at cool room temperature, 5 days.

These are excellent served hot with a scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream.

Thick Fudgy Brownies

I have a catering job coming up on Tuesday and I will be making two half sheets of brownies. I don't usually make brownies, so I'm trying out some new recipes. 

The first one I'm trying is Brooke's Best Bombshell Brownies from allrecipes.com.

The recipe is very simple and straight-forward. I had all the ingredients in my pantry, so I didn't have to make a trip to the store. High-five! Love when that happens.

...out of the oven....

These brownies are very fudgy, chewy and thick! Not to mention delicious. They have a nice rich, chocolatey flavor. Great brownie over-all, so I'll use this recipe for my catering job. The clients wanted a basic, chocolaty brownie, nothing to rich or over the top. This recipe will be perfect.

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Thick Fudgy Brownies

Yield 24 servings

Ingredients
1 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.

Combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended.

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until blended. Stir in the chocolate morsels. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Bake in preheated oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove, and cool pan on wire rack before cutting.