Best Ever Brownies

If you choc-o-holics loved Chocolate Cake to "Dah" For, you are going to eat these "Best Ever" Chocolate Brownies up! This recipe is, of course, from the Food Network and if they are calling these the "Best Ever Brownies," you know you've got a winner!

My days of staying with the Wheatleys are numbered, as Mike and I are moving into our new apartment in Arlington this weekend, so I've only got a few more days of having lots of people to cook for, especially delicious desserts. As much as I love to bake, it's harder to make treats for just Mike and me and then have them stare at me from the counter for the next few days until my will power completely gives out and I eat the rest just to get rid of the them. These brownies were a BIG hit, and they are very easy to make!

This is what you'll need:
1 cup unsalted butter
3 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup best quality cocoa powder
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Ganache:
6 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
6 tablespoons heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter


Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 8-inch square pan and set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and bring it to just below a boil. Place the chopped chocolate in a large bowl. Pour in the hot butter and let stand for 30 seconds. Stir until completely melted. Sift in the sugar and cocoa powder. Beat in the mascarpone, eggs, and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Gently fold the flour and salt into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

While the brownies are cooling, make the ganache. Place the chocolate (6 oz.) in a mixing bowl and set aside. Bring the cream and butter to just below boiling point in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour the hot mixture over the chocolate and let stand for 30 seconds. Stir the mixture until smooth. Spread the ganache over the brownies while it is still warm. Allow the ganache to set completely before cutting into squares. (We couldn't quite wait that long!)

These brownies, with the ganache, are like velvet! You can serve with ice cream, or just go at them with a glass of milk. Mike's comment was, "Ooh, these are really good! I got a corner piece and it is not harder or cooked more than the brownies in the middle," a good indicator of a fabulous batch!

Enjoy!