TWD: Cocoa-Nana Brownies

 
 

It's the first time in a very long time where I've played around with one of Dorie's recipes, which must mean I'm feeling back to my old self again after a crazy few months.  

I woke up this morning (hi, I'm Slacker, nice to meet you) and the first thing I thought was: Cocoa-Nana Brownies.  

Ah, the mind of a food blogger. 

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of brownies.  My father is a huge fan of boxed-mix brownies, and the smell of those chemical-laden brownies wafting through the air always slightly wanted to make me vomit. But I truly believed the only way to make brownies was to pour a mystery mix into a bowl, add eggs or oil or something, mix and bake.  And try to hold dinner down. 

Years later, when I finally learned that I need not be a slave to Duncan Hines, I tried to make my father "cakey" brownies from scratch.  Even though brownies are not my favorite treat, I was extremely pleased with how these brownies turned out.  I proudly presented one to my dad.

He took a bite and silently chewed.

"Well?"  I asked in anticipation. "How are they?"

He nodded.  

"What does that mean?" I asked, getting impatient. "Do you like them?"

He looked at me with the eyes of a five-year old kid.  "I like box brownies." he said, innocently.

I threw up my hands in frustration. "You're gross!  That makes me want to puke!"

Now who is the five-year old kid?

But I do believe that I would win over that box-mix fan with these Cocoa-nana brownies. I combined Dorie's Cocoa-Nana bread recipe with King Arthur Flour's brownie recipe. The result is an incredibly light, sky-high cake brownie studded with chocolate chunks that is incredibly moist with a slight tang from the buttermilk, a far-away, deep caramel flavor from the brown sugar and a hint of banana and topped with a smooth chocolate ganache. These brownies definitely don't make me want to puke. 

Yummy.

Check out Steph of Obsessed with Baking's website for the recipe for her extremely popular choice (the actual Cocoa-Nana Bread) and check out the rest of TWD for some more Cocoa-Nana Bread! No puking! 

Cocoa-Nana Brownies adapted from Dorie Greenspan: Baking from My Home to Yours and King Arthur Flour

16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 1/4 cups Dutch Process cocoa

1 tablespoon vanilla

5 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 1/4 cups all purpose unbleached flour

2 medium, very ripe banans
1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Lightly great a 9 x 13 pan. Set aside. 

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add in cocoa. Beat in vanilla, then beat in eggs, one by one. Beat in baking powder and salt (making sure baking powder is dissolved), then add in buttermilk. When smooth, lower speed to low and add flour and stir just until blended. Add chocolate chips if using.

Pour into pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Let cool. Frost brownies when cool.

Chocolate Ganache 

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
6 tablespoons heavy cream
3 tablespoons butter

Place chopped chocolate in a small bowl. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat the butter and cream over medium heat, stirring constantly. When mixture is almost boiling, pour over the chocolate. Let stand for 30 seconds. Then, stir until smooth.

Pour ganache over cooled brownies and spread evenly.

Allow ganache to firm before cutting brownies. Brownies may be placed in refrigerator to expedite this.

Comments

[Maria]

I am a homemade brownie girl all the way. I would of LOVED your brownies:)

[sarah]

my husband only likes boxed brownies too. stupid boy.

[Jennifer]

I like boxed brownies. (Please don't hate me!!!!) And I like homemade brownies.

These look delicious!:)

[S]

Oh my god. Those are beastly (in a good way!). I can taste the chocolate already!

S
http://notjustmedical.wordpress.com

[Jessie]

boxed brownies? *pukes* I am with you on this one. I love brownies made from scratch! those brownies are way better than the ones made from a box

[Tangled Noodle]

I'm an equal opportunity brownie lover; I'll take 'em any way I can get 'em.

"These brownies definitely don't make me want to puke" = understatement of the year!

[Susan]

Wow! Those look great! I might have flet differently about this recipe if I had tried your way instead.

[Daddio]

Now it all comes out. And what about when I made the boxed brownies with the walnuts? I remember compliments on them. And no we did not have DeNiro then so you can't blame the dog.

[Erin]

Oh boy, these sound amazing! I think these may be better than the actual recipe!

[Mimi]

No boxed brownies here, they simply taste like the box. On the other hand, I think you really improved on this weeks recipe. The brownies look delicious.
Mimi

[Michelle]

Loving the frosting idea! I added some bad(good) goodies to my bread..what the heck, huh!

[DailyChef]

Did you win him over? My dad also loves boxed brownies, but he has such a sweet tooth that he will eat anything, boxed or not!

[Clivia Gardens]

Great save for this iffy recipe! Homemade brownies all the way.

[Amber Marie]

Your brownies look delish! I think the ganache topping would be a very good addition!

[jenn (Bread + Butter)]

Brownies are almost my downfall sad to say. You better keep them away from or I'll eat the whole batch. Seriously!!

I used to be a boxed brownies lover too, that is...until I baked it from scratch. I don't think I'll ever go back to boxed again.

[steph (whisk/spoon)]

i can always tell if someone is feeding me a boxed brownie--gross!! these look seriously delicious...i love what you've done here, esp the ganache!!

[Margot]

The brownies look amazing, especially the frosting. I prefer homemade brownies, but box ones are one of my guilty pleasure comfort foods.

[Lauryn]

LOL! At least your dad likes sweets! I had never once in my life seen my dad eating a brownie! Your look amazing and I wish I could taste one!!

[Romaine of Salad in a Jar]

Can I just eat the frosting? With my finger?

[Natasha - 5 Star Foodie]

Scrumptious brownies, so good with the ganache topping!