Yummly
Rich and chocolatey brownies are the perfect dessert for celebrating any event or special occasion — or for no reason at all! This delicious brownie recipe is unique for a few reasons. It's made with cocoa powder and melted dark chocolate, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with delectable flavor. It also has a hint of orange zest which is an ideal pairing for the dark melted chocolate. On top of the added citrus flavor, the chopped walnuts give these homemade brownies a satisfying bit of crunch. These brownies are for true chocolate lovers looking for a new flavor experience. ## The History Of Brownies There are several interesting stories revolving around the mysterious arrival of the brownie. One features a chef who accidentally added chocolate to biscuit dough. Another tells the story of a baker who was making a cake but didn't have enough flour, so he ended up with a brownie-esque dessert. The most popular legend might be one that is listed in "Betty Crocker's Baking Classics" and John Mariani's "The Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink." Both publications tell the story of a housewife in Bangor, Maine, who forgot to add the baking powder to a chocolate cake she was making. The cake didn't rise well, but she chose to cut the dessert into squares and served it anyway. Thus, the brownie was introduced in the U.S. and has remained a classic dessert for many years. The first time a homemade brownie recipe was published was in the early in the 20th century, supposedly by Fanny Farmer. In 1905, she refined her own chocolate cookie recipe to create a bar-shaped dessert by baking it in a rectangular pan. We may never know who intentionally or accidentally created the first chocolate brownie, but we are certainly glad it has stuck around. ## Recipe Variations This recipe is egg-heavy, so it's not going to be as cakey as a brownie mix from a box, rather, this recipe is on the fudgy brownie end of the spectrum, but like most good brownie recipes, this recipe comes with plenty of room for variations. _Nuts:_ If walnuts aren't your thing, try using chopped pecans, peanuts, or almonds. _Flavorings:_ If you don't want to use the orange zest, you can leave it out, add a teaspoon vanilla extract, or put the zest of another fruit of your preference in its place. _Different Chocolate:_ Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate. Try regular milk chocolate, white chocolate chips, or a combination of different types. _Embellishments:_ You can skip the last drizzle of chocolate and top your chocolate brownie with ice cream or whipped cream instead if you want a sit-down dessert experience instead of a portable dessert experience. Trying new recipes is part of the fun, so be creative and create your own masterpiece!
