Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

Ingredients

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, cold
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Before you cook

• Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on two sides.
• Chop the bittersweet chocolate.
• Take the eggs straight from the refrigerator when you need them.

Steps

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
3. Put the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in the bowl and stir until the butter melts and the mixture is hot to the touch and slightly gritty.
4. Take the bowl off the pan and let it cool for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in the vanilla.
6. Add the cold eggs one at a time, beating vigorously with a wooden spoon after each.
7. Keep beating hard for about 40 strokes, until the batter turns thick, shiny, and pulls away from the side of the bowl.
8. Sprinkle the flour over the batter and stir just until it disappears.
9. Fold in the chopped chocolate.
10. Scrape the batter into the lined pan and spread it into the corners.
11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it.
12. Cool the brownies completely in the pan, at least two hours, before lifting them out and cutting sixteen squares.