These dense chocolate brownies are topped with a rich chocolate ganache. You won’t be able to eat just one!!
It’s November. Time for turkey and thankfulness. One of the things I am incredibly thankful for is my wonderful family. We are spread over many states and have many interests, but one thing we all love: dessert. This month I am going to feature some of our family’s best dessert recipes– just to get you all ready to bring some mouthwatering treats to your Thanksgiving feast!
This brownie recipe is from my Aunt Sara. She’s known in our family for her wonderful layered salad, but since this is a blog about sweets, that recipe will have to wait for another day.
Aunt Sarah and her granddaughter Sierra
Several years ago I asked everyone in our family to submit recipes to compile into a family cookbook. SO many wonderful things (with the exception of “Feline Delight”, submitted by my Uncle Keith and my dad, involving a stew made from the family pet…. a joke, of course!) My Aunt Sara turned in this brownie recipe and I’ve always wanted to try it but just hadn’t taken the time until right now.
The verdict: AMAZING. These are the most fudge- like brownies I’ve ever had. If you prefer cake-like brownies just stop reading right here….because these are rich, heavy, delicious bits of chocolate joy.
So, lets get you the recipe so you can try these yummy treats! (printable version)
INGREDIENTS:
Brownie:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 2/3 cup chocolate (I used Nestle’ dark chocolate chips)
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1 cup chocolate (Aunt Sara uses Ghiradelli, I just used the rest of the Nestle’ dark chips)
DIRECTIONS:
Brownie:
- Preheat oven to 325F degrees
- Place butter and chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and melt in 30 second increments, stirring between, until melted and smooth.
- Beat eggs and salt until they turn a light yellow color.
- Add sugar to egg mixture gradually, and then beat until thick and creamy (about 15 minutes).
- Fold in melted chocolate/butter mixture.
- Add flour and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- Fold in nuts.
- Lightly spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and pour batter in.
- Bake at 325F degrees for 25-30 minutes. Toothpick should not come out clean- if you over-bake them they will be dry.
Frosting:
- Place chocolate (either chips, or chopped up) into a bowl.
- Bring whipping cream to a boil over the stove.
- Pour hot cream over chocolate and whisk until smooth.
- Refrigerate about 20 minutes, until thick enough to spread, but not completely set.
- Spread over brownies and enjoy!!!
My thoughts: These are wonderfully gooey and rich- my perfect kind of brownie! The only downside of these is having to beat the eggs for 15 minutes. If you have a stand mixer you won’t mind it, but I have a hand mixer…seemed like an eternity! Once I tasted them, it was worth every second though! Thanks for the wonderful recipe Aunt Sara!! Love you! ~r
Other brownie recipes to fill your November with yummy goodness:
EASYBAKED 
The brownies look delicious, your Aunt Sara must be a very talented cook!
She is!! 🙂
What a wonderful idea to make a family cook book! The brownies look delicious!
Thank you! Our family cookbook is my most used book in the kitchen- it’s literally falling apart- lol!
that ganache looks sooo good ! that really is a great idea, i might do that too with my family !!
Thank you! It’s really nice to have all the family recipes in one place. We just printed them out and took them to an office supply store to be spiral bound. It’s a great Christmas gift idea.
you’re so right ! Sounds like a very fun project thanks !
Beautiful! These look like fudge with a crust! My kind of brownie!
Thank you- that is actually a perfect description! My kind of brownie too!
Oh yum! This sounds great!
Thank you!!!
Yum! Talk about chocolate indulgence… Aunt Sara’s ganache brownies sound incredible! I’m thankful for my family too. Having people you love around you is one of the biggest blessings in this life, good or bad, thick or thin. Thanks for introducing us to your lovely Aunt in this post. Definitely trying her recipe x
I agree so much with your perspective on family– it’s so nice to have people around you to encourage you. I have some big changes coming up in my life and having my family and friends cheering me on has made all the difference in the world! Thanks for stopping by!! Hope you enjoy the brownies!
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Thank you for the cheesecake recipe. I had one similar and its disappeared. My son in law is missing it so for fathers day I am making him one all for himself and another one for the rest of us. When each of my children left home I made them a special cookbook of their favorite recipes. Then as their tastes broadened I added a recipe card of that one as well. They all said it was their favorite gifts and they use them all the time now I do it for grandkids as well. Mine is worn out but I just bought a new cover and its called updates to family favorites.
Hi Dianna, SO sorry it took me forever to reply to you- I took a two year break from blogging- but I’m back! Thanks for stopping to comment- I hope the birthday cheesecake worked out well! 🙂 We have a family cookbook too- and I use it ALL the time! Great idea!!!