Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter1 stick
- cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extra ct
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powderoptional-will enhance the chocolate flavor
- large eggs
- 1/4 cup(plus 2 tablespoon s) all-purpose flour
- Finely chopped pecans
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed graham crackers
- Sprinkles
- Peanut butter cup sor caramel cup s
Instructions
- Place a rack in center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously grease and flour a mini muffin tin. Or line with paper liners and coat the liners with nonstick spray (you’ll thank yourself later).
- Place the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a heat proof bowl, then set the bowl over a pan of simmering water to create a double boiler ensuring that bottom of bowl and water do not touch.
- Heat until butter melts, stirring occasionally.
- This will take several minutes.
- Carefully remove the bowl from pan and stir to combine as best you can.
- Set aside and let cool until still warm to the touch, but not hot.
- The batter will be very gritty but will smooth out as you continue with recipe.
- Add the vanilla extract and espresso powder. With a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, stir to combine.
- Add eggs one at a time, stirring thoroughly after each addition so that the eggs are fully combined before you add the next ingredient. Keep on stirring until batter looks thick and shiny.
- Sprinkle the flour over the top. Stir until it disappears into batter.
- As soon as you can no longer see the flour, stir the batter for 40 additional turns of the spatula (a.k.a. strokes). It will look thick and glossy.
- With a small cookie scoop or spoon, dollop the batter into mini muffin tins, filling each about 3/4 of way to top. Add any additional toppings you might like (if doing peanut butter or caramel cups, unwrap and carefully place one in the center of each brownie bite).
- Bake the brownie bites are just set, about 12 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool in pan for 15 minutes. With a fork, carefully loosen the brownie bites and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
