Brownie Terrarium Recipes

HIDDEN SECRET BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Line it with a piece of parchment overhanging the edges (this will help in removing the brownies from the pan) and spray again.
• Melt the chocolate in a bowl in the microwave or over a double boiler. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs. With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the melted chocolate. Add the vanilla extract, beets and walnuts and mix. Whisk together the flour and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Add half of the flour to the batter and mix just until combined. Mix in the remaining flour; do not over mix.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread it to even out the surface. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely.
• Using the paper, lift the brownies from the pan. Remove the paper, and then cut the brownies into 9 squares. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

BEST BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan.
• In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
• To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons softened butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Stir until smooth. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

BROWNIE COOKIES

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or use the microwave. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring after each until completely melted. Set aside to slightly cool (so it doesn't melt the butter or cook the eggs).
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat on high speed for 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl, then beat on high for 1 more minute. Pour in the slightly cooled melted chocolate and mix on medium-high speed for 2 full minutes.
• Pour in the the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until combined. Finally, beat in the chocolate chips.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. As the oven preheats, continue to step 6.
• Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for just 20 minutes as the oven preheats. This quick chill time helps slightly solidify the chocolate and butter in the dough, which gives the cookies a nice spread (not over-spread). Chilling for longer creates thicker cookies where, in some cases, they may not spread at all. If chilling for longer than 20 minutes, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling and baking.
• Roll or scoop the dough into balls, 1.5 Tablespoons of dough each. I recommend a medium cookie scoop. Place 3 inches apart on the baking sheets and bake for 12-13 minutes or until the edges appear set. (The centers will be quite soft, but will set up as the cookies cool.)
• Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.