Shelby’s assignment was tough: Make a glorious recipe from Judy Rosenberg’s new cookbook and share it with us. It’s a tough job but she did it well. And we’re offering a giveaway of this very book down below, so read further for details. Thanks! -Maggie
When you think of holiday baking, your mind likely veers towards pretty sugar cookies, cut into fun shapes and decorated with beautiful frosting or colored sugar. While these Christmas cookies are very nice to look at and I enjoy eating one or two during the holiday season… they just aren’t chocolate, now are they?
I confess, if I am going to eat something sweet, more often than not it must be chocolate. Happily for me, a new cookbook just arrived in my life, promising to contain some very chocolate-y recipes. As I flipped through The Rosie’s Bakery All-Butter, Cream-Filled, Sugar-Packed Baking Book last week, I came across Judy Rosenberg’s brownie recipe, the one that truly put Rosie’s Bakery on the map here in Greater Boston, and I just knew I had to try it for myself. I think I was really sold when I read that Judy had perfected this recipe once she realized that she didn’t want to “go through life without a really good brownie recipe.” Makes sense to me!
As the name of the book might indicate, these brownies do not cleverly contain whole grains or the addition of secret vegetables. They are filled with things like butter, chocolate, and sugar. They are also AMAZING. Dense, fudge-like, and very, very chocolate-y, I understand why this brownie gets a great deal of attention. As a cook that often cuts out sugar or otherwise tries to figure out ways to lighten a recipe, it was a bit difficult for me at first to make the recipe as stated, but in the end, I appreciate the pure indulgence of this and the other recipes in the book. If you are baking delectable treats, why not just go for it? After all, sometimes the butter and the sugar are just worth it. This is one of those times.
What’s more, I really just loved this cookbook. Reading about Judy Rosenberg’s adventures in baking during those early years in Boston and Cambridge made for a humorous and inspiring read, and the book is full of tips and advice for novice and experienced bakers. Her “common sense baking” approach aligns nicely with the way I like to be in the kitchen, and as Judy points out: “the worst that can happen is that you make a mistake–and one of the joys of baking is that the majority of our mistakes are edible.”
So what are you waiting for? Stock up on your butter, your chocolate, your butter and your cream. Get baking this holiday season!
Be charmed by Judy Rosenberg at the Eat Boutique Holiday Local Market on December 10 at Made in Fort Point, where she will be signing and selling her fantastic new cookbook, The Rosie’s Bakery All-Butter, Cream-Filled, Sugar-Packed Baking Book. I think the cookbook–along with a batch of these ridiculously chocolate-y brownies, might just be the perfect Christmas gift.
***** This giveaway is now closed. *****
For those of you who want to get a jump start on baking, we’re giving away a copy of Judy’s book right now!
Just leave a comment below sharing the answer to this question: “What sweet treat do you bake up each December to usher in the holiday season?” Entries open through Wednesday, December 7, 11:59pm EST. We’ll randomly select one winner and personally ship the prize directly to you!
Want extra entries? Increase your odds of winning by leaving a separate comment for each bonus entry, in addition to the main comment entry.
- Follow @eatboutique on Twitter and tweet the following:
I love handmade food + just entered to win Judy Rosenberg’s new cookbook from @eatboutique! Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/7fbf2eg - Like Eat Boutique on Facebook. If you’re already a fan, just leave a comment here saying so!
Be sure you enter a valid email address, because if your name is drawn and we can’t get a hold of you within 48 hours, we will choose an alternate winner. Happy commenting and good luck!
Now onto the recipe…
Rosie’s Award-Winning Brownies
From The Rosie’s Bakery All-Butter, Cream-Filled, Sugar-Packed Baking Book by Judy Rosenberg
Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil or butter for greasing the pan
- 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
- Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 F. Lighting grease an 8-inch square pan with vegetable oil or butter, or line the bottom with parchment butter.
- Melt the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler placed over simmering water. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
- Place the sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl and pour in the chocolate mixture. Using an electric on medium speed, mix until blended, about 25 seconds. Scrap the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Add the vanilla. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the eggs one at a time, blending after each addition until the yolk is broken and dispersed, about 10 seconds. Scrape the bowl after the last egg is added and blend until velvety, about 15 seconds. Then scrape the bowl again.
- Add the flour on low speed and mix for 20 seconds, stopping once to scrape the bowl. Finish by mixing by hand, being certain to mix in any flour at the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the nuts, if using.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake just until the center rises to the level of the sides and a tester comes out with moist crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Let the brownies cool in the pan on a rack for 1 hour before cutting and serving them. And don’t forget the tall glass of milk.
All photos styled and photographed by Shelby Larsson.
Eat Boutique is an online magazine + market for food enthusiasts to celebrate the best pure, local + comforting handmade foods. We call it: food that hugs you back. Looking for the perfect gift? Eat Boutique sells gift boxes filled with handmade sweet and savory treats. Send a gift box of handmade food today.
Did you know we’re hosting our Holiday Local Market on December 10, 2011 in Boston? Meet, taste and shop for holiday gifts!
