Made-from-Scratch Double-Chocolate Brownies

This is for you, chocolate lovers!

Thick and rich, dense and fudgy - All you can wish in a brownie.

I should start today's post with my deepest apologies. I'm sooo sorry! Yes, sorry for all the times I've tempted you with my enticing recipes. 
I know you're probably getting ready to peel off your clothes, and put on your skimpy bikinis, or cool surf trunks (... or tight speedos, for you hunks ;)). And just when you're about to show off your perfectly sculpted bodies and hit the beach, I present you these. Made-from-scratch, hot-out-of-the-oven, double-chocolate brownies.  Chewy and fudgy, rich and intensely chocolatey... Dangerous, I'm telling you!

But you know what?! I think you can really have a piece of this brownie, and still feel great in your swimsuit. I do :)
I am not an expert dietitian, but I just know what works for me. I believe in healthy eating and a balanced diet that includes some of everything, from veggies to pasta and bread, from fruit to fish and meat. And why not?! Dessert too, especially if it's homemade and eaten in moderation. 
If by any chance the guilty thought hits you, you know the why-in-the-world-did-I-bake-these-brownies feeling, just add an extra workout to your day. A twenty-minutes quick walk, a run to the beach, a 30 minutes tennis game ... or even a simple hour spent with your kids, playing and running around the backyard. Something fun, whatever that is. It will make the guilty feeling and the calories disappear.

Now, let's talk chocolate for a minute. For this recipe I used a little bit of cocoa powder for a deep, dark flavor, but mostly real chocolate, for a remarkably rich and fudgy texture. I used what I had in my cupboard, which was one dark and one milk chocolate bar. I love the combination of the two, but you are welcome to mix and experiment. The sweetness of the brownies will vary based on the chocolate you use.
And as a final "wow" touch, add some optional-but-highly-recommended chocolate chips. From a chocoholic to another, why not?!? They will make the brownies explode with little bits of oozing melty chocolate when served warm. 

This recipe is quite easy and simple, not much harder than combining a brownie mix from a box. But believe me when I say that these are ten times better made from scratch, with pure chocolate and butter, serve warm right out of your oven. Trust me, I know chocolate ;)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients: to make a 13 x 9 inches (33 x 23 cm) brownie, cut in 24 pieces

• 6 oz (170 gr) of unsalted butter
• 7 oz (200 gr) of good quality chocolate, I used half dark and half milk chocolate
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup (200 gr) of regular granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 gr) of brown sugar
• 2  teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cup (200 gr) of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (20 gr) of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 12 oz (340 gr - one bag) of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Melt the butter with the chocolate in the microwave for about 30 seconds, set on high. Stir until the chocolate is melted. Place back in the microwave for 10 more seconds if needed. You can almost melt the chocolate by placing it on a double boiler, and whisking until fully melted.

2. Preheat the oven to  350° F (175° C).
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and the white and brown sugar until light and thick. Add the vanilla extract and the melted chocolate/butter and mix some more.

3. Add the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Mix a little, just until combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips with a spoon.

4. Line a  13 x 9 inches (33 x 23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper. Pour the batter, spread and level with a spoon. Bake at 350° F (175° C) for about 35 minutes . Test with a toothpick for readiness. Make sure to check in more than one spot... if you get a chocolate chip, it will not come out clean.

Let the brownies cool down before cutting. I cut 24 squares - 6 x 4

Enjoy :)