Outrageous Brownies

Ina Garten, better known in the food world as Barefoot Contessa, is one of my favorite chefs. I own almost all of her cookbooks and, aside from maybe 1 out of every 80 recipes, every single recipe is fantastic! Her recipes are definitely not "light", but they are worth the indulgence. These brownies are no exception--they are sinful, but the best I've ever had! They are especially good right out of the fridge and freeze really nicely. If you have a weakness for chocolate, you may want to plan to take these to a potluck or other event, just to get them out of the house--I seriously have NO willpower to resist them!

For all my Bible Study girls who enjoyed these at our Girls' Night Out, these are for you! :-)

Outrageous Brownies (The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten)

1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, divided
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant espresso coffee powder
2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (1 cup for batter and 1/4 cup in the chips and nuts)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups diced walnut pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 13 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan (cookie sheet with sides, like a jelly roll pan.)

Melt together the butter, 1 pound chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate on top of a double boiler. Cool slightly. Stir together the eggs, instant coffee, vanilla and sugar. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cool to room temperature.

Stir together 1 cup of the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips with 1/4 cup flour to coat. Then add to the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tester just comes out clean. Halfway through the baking, rap the pan against the oven shelf to allow air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Do not over-bake! Cool thoroughly, refrigerate well and cut into squares.