Chewy Brownies

1. Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F, adjusting the oven rack to the lowest position. This ensures even baking from the bottom up.

2. Prepare the Baking Pan

Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, creating a sling that will help you lift the brownies out later. Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

3. Bloom the Cocoa

In a large bowl, whisk together the cocoa and espresso powder with the boiling water until smooth. This step blooms the cocoa, intensifying its flavor.

4. Melt the Chocolate

Add the finely chopped unsweetened chocolate to the bowl and whisk until it has melted into the cocoa mixture.

5. Add Fats

Whisk in the melted butter and vegetable oil. The mixture might look curdled, but don’t worry – this is normal and will come together as you add more ingredients.

6. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs and egg yolks, then add the vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous, ensuring that the eggs are fully incorporated.

7. Add Sugar

Add the sugar to the bowl and whisk until it is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth again.

8. Fold in Flour and Salt

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour and salt until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the brownies tough.

9. Add Bittersweet Chocolate

Fold in the bittersweet chocolate pieces, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

10. Bake the Brownies

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know the brownies are done when a toothpick inserted halfway between the edge and the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. This ensures that your brownies will be perfectly chewy.

11. Cool the Brownies

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1½ hours. This cooling period helps them set properly.

12. Lift and Cool Completely

Once they have cooled in the pan, use the foil sling to lift the brownies out and transfer them to the wire rack. Let them cool completely for about another hour.

13. Cut and Enjoy

Cut the brownies into 2-inch squares and enjoy your rich, chewy homemade treats!