Chocoholics may decide if these are the ultimate brownies, but we certainly think these fudgy squares deserve that title. Dark brown sugar makes these extra fudgy, a touch of sour cream adds richness and depth, and good-quality cocoa powder is worth the splurge. Once baked, but before the brownies are cut, the top is slathered with a wonderfully smooth dark-chocolate ganache. Once the ganache is set, cut the brownies into squares–whatever size you desire–and then serve them with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of flake sea salt. We did say ultimate, didn’t we?
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this easy-to-make recipe for Ultimate Chocolate, Sea Salt, and Olive Oil Brownies.
1. Info for Ultimate Chocolate, Sea Salt, and Olive Oil Brownies
- Cook Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Servings: 8
- Calories: 794.52 kcal
2. Ingredients for Ultimate Chocolate, Sea Salt, and Olive Oil Brownies
- Coconut Oil Baking Spray
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups Dark Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 4 Large Eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Sour Cream, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3/4 cup Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2/3 cup Bittersweet Chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Light Corn Syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon Flake Sea Salt, preferably Maldon
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
- Flake Sea Salt, preferably Maldon, for sprinkling
3. Directions:
- Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC/gas 4. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, and then spray the pan generously with coconut oil baking spray. Set aside.
- Place the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of your KitchenAid® Stand Mixer fitted with the flat beater. Attach the KitchenAid® Sifter + Scale Attachment to your mixer. Weigh the granulated sugar in the ingredient hopper. Turn the mixer to low speed, open the ingredient valve, and sift the sugar into the mixer bowl. Cream the mixture on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the mixer running on medium, add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating each before adding the next. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla.
- Close the ingredient valve on the Sifter + Scale Attachment, and weigh the flour, cocoa, and salt, taring the scale between ingredients.
- With the mixer on medium-low speed, open the ingredient valve, and sift in the flour mixture. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Remove the mixer bowl, and use a rubber spatula to blend in any flour or coca remaining on the sides of the bowl. Scrape the batter in the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, 45 to 55 minutes. (These are very decadent fudgy brownies, and not meant to be cake-like.) Transfer to a rack and cool completely.
- When the brownies are almost cool, make the chocolate ganache. In a medium metal or heatproof bowl, combine the cream, chocolate, corn syrup, and salt. Put the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and heat, stirring with a heatproof spatula, until the chocolate mixture is smooth and shiny. Remove from the heat. Using an offset spatula or small rubber spatula, spread the ganache evenly over the brownies. Set aside until set.
- To serve, cut the brownies into 2-in/5-cm squares (or larger if desired!), and use a spatula to transfer them to individual dessert plates. Garnish each brownie with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of flakey sea salt.
- Tightly wrap any remaining brownies and place in an airtight container. They will keep at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.