I found this recipe ages ago and promptly printed it out so I could make it as soon as possible. Of course, when I found it earlier this week and remembered how excited I was to make them, I was forced to laugh at the fact that my initial excitement had been almost two years ago. Now, that either proves that I’m unorganized or that I have more recipes to try than I have time to make them. As I’ve always prided myself on my organizational skills, I’m going with the latter.
It is suggested with this recipe that it’s a good idea to make these brownies with high quality ingredients. I have to agree with that. These brownies are all about the chocolate, so use the best kind you’re willing to buy. Good quality chocolate is becoming more and more available these days. Most grocery stores will offer something besides Hershey’s, Baker’s, and Nestle. While my local grocery store is not that great, they do offer Ghirardelli. I also used Schokinag cocoa powder that I bought at our local cook’s store.
I made these brownies for New Years’ Eve, and the wonderful aroma that filled the kitchen was just heavenly. Few things offer a better smell than chocolate baking in the oven. If that weren’t enough, adding chocolate ganache just pushed them over the top.
I am usually not a straight chocolate brownie fan. I like some nuts or something thrown in for some added interest. Quinn is the chocolate purist around here. I expected him to love them, which he did, but I didn’t think I’d enjoy them quite so much. They are truly decadent. For all you chocolate lovers, these are a must for your recipe collection.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (plus more for preparing pan)
- 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 6 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
To make the brownies:
Preheat oven to 325°. Butter an 8-inch square glass baking pan and set aside.
Place the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at half power in 30 second intervals, stirring between each heating. Continue until both are completely melted.
Sift sugar and cocoa powder. Add to the butter/chocolate mixture. Beat in (by hand) the mascarpone, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold in flour and salt.
Pour batter into pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in pan on cooling rack.
To make the ganache:
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.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Food.com.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
that looks so dense and fudgy. yum! i always have a problem with baking them though. they seems undercooked most of the time, just too moist
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Oh my…this looks like a serious dessert for any chocoholic!
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Those look like my kind of brownies. Wow.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Talk about calling my name!! These are next o the brownie recipe list (I “force” myself to bakig brownies once a week
). That picture just made me weak in my chocolate knees!
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
mascarpone and chocolate!! what more could we ask for??!! this looks so fabulous:)
January 4th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Chocolate and marscapone,
What a heavenly combination!
January 4th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I’m intrigued by baked goods with mascarpone and these look really good!
January 4th, 2008 at 12:56 am
wow they look so decedent! I know a chocolate lover who would die for these. Thanks for the recipe.
January 4th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Those look rich and yummy.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:28 am
I just found your blog through Tastespotting and have just gotten lost in all your gorgeous pictures and recipes! This brownie recipe looks like heaven and I just put on my “must try soon” list. I’ll definitely be back frequently! Thanks
January 4th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Wow, those brownies just look like pure fudge- Talk about food porn!
January 4th, 2008 at 8:21 am
After seeing that pictures, I have no choice but to make these brownies.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Bookmarked for the wekend!
January 4th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Holy hell. I am making those for the husband’s birthday this weekend. Thanks!
January 4th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Mascarpone, good chocolate & ganache…I can smell these baking right now!
January 4th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Thanks, everyone! These truly are delicious. So rich and dense… A real chocolate lovers’ dream.
January 5th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I litterally let out a “wooooooooooot!” when I saw the picture in my reader. A definite must-try…:)
January 5th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Wow, those look incredible. Great photo.
January 5th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Good Lord. Look at that! There go the resolutions. Right out the window.
Yum.
January 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Hi there you have such a lovely blog.I have a blog also here is my link Food Recipes
Let me know if you would like to exchange links. Thanks Jeena x
January 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Thanks, y’all!
January 7th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
gorgeous!!!!!!!!! i already need a tall glass of milk just thinking about it!
January 8th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Impossible to start a diet with such a gorgeous cake! Lovely blog, Cat
January 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Thanks, Marni and Cat!
January 9th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
This is what I call a wonderful brownie. Looks really good and yummy!
January 9th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Thanks, Helene!
February 4th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I have now made these twice in the last two weeks. I can’t get enough!!! I’ll be keeping this recipe on the counter where I can get to it easily for awhile I can tell.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Kendall, I’m so glad you like them, too. They are beyond good.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I just wanted to chime in with my review of these – I printed it out the day you posted it, but with the same issue of “too many recipes, too little time,” I just made them last night despite them being in the high-priority file!! :~) Anyway, they were absolutely wonderful – tender, excellent chocolate flavor, moist without being gooey. I used Callebaut semi-sweet and Penzey’s natural cocoa and they worked beautifully. They will be made again and again at our house! Thanks Jennifer!
February 6th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Susan, I’m glad you liked them. They are just so very good.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I don’t think you realise quite how much you’re making me drool!!
I have been ogling this website for far too long, and simply must leave a comment saying how very much in love i am with your cooking
Even though I’ve never tasted it!
I love the your adopt a blog idea, where can i go for adoption?! I started blogging less than a fortnight ago, and it’s taken me that long just to figure out how to upload a photo…
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Emily, how very sweet! Thank you so much. The blogger adoption was organized at Dine and Dish. Check there to see if she is still involved with that. Feel free to email me (bakeorbreak@gmail.com) with blogging questions, too. I’ll be glad to try to help.
July 26th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Oh my god…these look amazing! Will need to try them asap.
July 26th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Sara, they are wonderful! Let me know what you think if you make them.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am
that looks delicious. i have not eaten lunch yet and that looks great.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I read your site just about every day. A couple of weeks ago, I made these mascarpone brownies and I must say, there were a HUGE hit! What an awesome delicious recipe. I wrote about it on my blog and took photos as well. Please check it out and thank you for posting the recipe. I’m keeping it in my “favorites”.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Hi Jennifer..I’m a friend of your mother-inlaws and Quinn’s dad. this is a fantastic website!!The picturesare drool worthy. I am going to work my way thru and plan on enjoying one dessert a week…my treat. Thanks for yur talent and creativity!! Sac. CA.
April 19th, 2011 at 6:19 am
Hi! I’d like to bake your brownies. They look so mouth-watering!
But what is a cup? 230 mililiters?
Greetings from Germany!
January 10th, 2012 at 3:32 am
I baked them last weekend and we liked them soooooo much. They are the best brownies i have ever eaten! I have also published them in my blog, with the recipe converted to grams and mililiters.
January 22nd, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I baked these yesterday and they are amazing! Very rich, only for true chocolate lovers. The mascarpone gives a beautiful silky and cool texture to the brownie. I’m saving this for when I need to impress people!
One note, next time I would half the amount of ganache — the brownie is good enough on its own and doesn’t need a ton of extra chocolate added.
March 11th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
OMG!! So light and fluffy, I put 2tbs of coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor and it came out perfect!, my husband and I love it!!
May 5th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
Just found this recipe, and even if I am not normally a big fan of Brownies, these ones seem to die for! Thanks for the recipe, will make sure to try it!