i'm not selfish; i can share

Brownies. Everyone likes brownie, but finding The Recipe can be difficult. I was lucky enough to find it a few years ago somewhere on the interwebs. If I didn't make these for you, I'm sorry. There is no excuse. I hope you can forgive me.

I used to bake for the people at work in Toronto, and one day I said would make brownies. My friend from New Zealand said she didn't really like brownies, and possibly even requested something else. Brownies are very North American because they are so ridiculously sweet/chocolaty and over the top. Now that I live in Germany, it's hard to go to the bakery sometimes because everything is delicious, but in an understated, less sweet way. Anyway, I brought these babies in, and she said they were delicious. A convert to brownie fandom.

A few weeks ago I made them for the boys at work. I first mentioned that I can bake in early November, but it took until December for me to bring something in. I wanted to do it when I was on the floor, not in training, so I could share them with only my friends (otherwise I would need to make three batches - I'm generous with my baking but not a fool about it!). I cut them into small squares so they could be stretched further. They went down very well. Those who tried them, loved them. I offered P. a brownie, but he said he would come back later. There would be no later.

My phone rang. I was helping a customer and I saw a head pop up next to my desk. Then an arm. Then my box of brownies was disappearing. But I was on the phone and could do nothing. When the box was retuned to my desk there was one lone brownie remaining. Selfish boys. P. asked me for a brownie. I had to say he needed talk to S. and J. because they stole and devoured half of the box.

I made the brownies back in mid-December. At least twice a week since then, if not twice a day, I have heard "When are you making brownies? Tonight? You'll bring them in tomorrow?" "We need brownies." "Sparkles! Brownies?" "Will there be brownies on Monday?"

I keep thinking of making them, but the boys were particularly offensive on the train this week and I said no more brownies until they treat me like a lady. However, I have one friend that does treat me like a lady. So, I made brownies just for him. And as I was making them, I realized you girls need the recipe so you can be heroes as well.

I have no idea where I found this recipe, but here it is:

Alice Medrich’s Classic Fudge Brownies

1/4 cup (1 stick) butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1-1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prepare an 8-inch square metal baking pan. Line the pan with aluminum foil.
2. Melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler until smooth.
3. Mix in the sugar, vanilla and salt. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix in the flour. Stir for at least one minute until the batter is smooth and begins to come away from the sides.
4. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until the brownies begin to come away from the sides of the pan.
5. While the brownies are baking, prepare an ice bath. Fill a roasting pan or larger baking pan (or even your sink) with cold water and ice cubes. When you take the brownies out of the oven, put them immediately into the ice bath and cool completely. (Had you used a glass pan, it would now shatter.)

Wrapped up my friend. I didn't even eat one. I'm a nice person.