Decadent Chocolate Brownies with Optional Toasted Nuts

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F and ensure the middle rack is in place.

2. Prepare Baking Pan

Prepare your 13 by 9-inch baking pan by creating a foil sling. Lay two long sheets of aluminum foil perpendicular to each other inside the pan, pressing the foil into the corners. Grease the foil thoroughly to prevent sticking.

3. Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Melt Chocolate and Butter

In a medium heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter together. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth.

5. Combine Sugar and Eggs

Gradually whisk in the sugar into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined. Then, add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.

6. Add Vanilla and Flour

Whisk in the vanilla extract, then fold in the flour mixture in three parts, mixing until the batter is just smooth.

7. Pour and Add Nuts (Optional)

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it into the corners and smoothing the top. If you’re adding nuts, sprinkle them evenly over the batter at this stage.

8. Bake

Bake the brownies in your preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. The brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.

9. Cool and Cut

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 2 hours. Once cooled, use the foil sling to lift the brownies out of the pan and cut them into 2-inch squares.