spicy spiced brownies

this weekend i started reading this book.

i am inspired! and i love being inspired :)

you know what's great when you're passionate about something?

no amount of failures or disappointments can stop you.

i cannot tell you how many disasters i've had in the kitchen.

i literally could not count them all!

but no matter how many failures i had,

i still have hope that the next thing i make is going to be great.

and not just great.... possibly the most amazing thing i've made yet!

why not? :)

i hope you feel inspired this valentine's day!

to pursue something or someone that you love,
with no fear of failure or disappointment,

but with that reckless abandon
that only comes when you are INSPIRED! :)

xx

recipe via smitten kitchen

yields about 24 brownies

ingredients

1 1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

(dark if you have it!)

1 teaspoon chipotle powder

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cardamom

11 oz dark chocolate (60% - 72% cocoa), coarsely chopped

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 teaspoon instant espresso

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

5 eggs, room temp

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

directions

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees

butter the sides and bottom of a 9x13" glass baking pan.

2. in a medium bowl, whisk flour, salt, cocoa powder

and spices (chipotle, cinnamon & cardamom) together.

3. put chocolate, butter, and instant espresso powder in a large bowl 

and set over a saucepan of simmering water, 

stirring occasionally, until they are melted and smooth.

(i cheated and did this in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds) :)

4. turn off the heat, but keep bowl over the water and add sugars.

whisk until completely combined, then remove the bowl from the pan.

the mixture should be room temperature.

5. add 3 eggs to the chocolate mixture and whisk until combined.

add remaining eggs and whisk until combined.

add vanilla and stir until combined.

*do not overbeat batter at this stage!

6. sprinkle flour mixture over chocolate mixture.

using a spatula (not the whisk), fold the flour mixture 

into chocolate until just a bit of the flour is still visible.

7. pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top.

bake in center of oven for 30 minutes, rotating pan halfway through,

until toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.

8. let brownies cool completely. 

serve & wish everyone you know a happy happy valentines day :) xo