For Thanksgiving, I wanted to make brownies from the cookbook Bake by Rachel Allen. Rachel is one of my baking heroes and I thought it would be a fun and unusual choice for the holiday. Brownies are challenging to make but I knew the rules on how to make them and thought it was a smart choice. I was wrong.
Measuring
All the ingredients required measuring so I though for sure that gave me a leg up since I actually own a scale.
The recipe required melting butter, chocolate and cocoa powder together. I made sure to have the butter on the bottom so nothing scorched.
Everything was nice and smooth together and ready for combining with the dry ingredients.
I quickly and gently folded everything together so I worked the gluten minimally.
I decided to add chocolate chips to the top and baked at the right temperature for the correct amount of time.
When I took the batch out the first time, I could see the entire top move and wobble like a wave of chocolate. Um… That did not bode well. I put the brownies back into the oven for an additional 7 minutes.
They brownies were move liquid than solid
The top still felt “mobile”. I knew that if I kept it in there a lot longer the brownies may be baked through in the middle but be over baked everywhere else. I came up with the genius idea of broiling the top with my fingers crossed. Nope. Chocolate goo!
Which was delicious but completely raw in the middle. As friends on my Facebook page, said… Molten lava brownies! Sounds great but not for me.
I even tweeted the lovely Rachel Allen who said with condolences, “Oh! Sounds like they were undercooked?” Yes, they were. And I did everything right damn it yet no dessert for us on Thanksgiving.
One of the most important quote I have learned in life was from Picard on Star Trek: Next Generation, “It is possible to commit no errors and still lose.”
Sometimes, recipes don’t work out. Who knows why? No one is to blame. I tend to have issues with brownies but I did my best, followed the “brownie” rules and still, no luck.
So I will move on to something completely different. No point crying over super gooey brownies, right?
I’ve had the same thing happen to fudge when I had my double boiler too hot. When I make brownies I melt butter and baking squares together, combine all my dry in a bowl and then stir the melted with the dry and mine always turn out nice and moist, not cake-like (like some brownies I’ve tasted) 🙂
Very wise Heather! And thanks for the tip. I’m not a fan of cake-like brownies either. Just gotta make my less gooey, LOL.
Hell, I woulda eaten them raw. I ain’t fussy.
LOL, I think a lot of people would have agreed with you. I just couldn’t do it, LOL. Although I do eat sushi! This really was a sushi version of a brownie.
I’ve never been able to master brownies, even with the easy-make home kits. I resolved to just buy them when I wanted them (although it’s been years since I’ve had one!). Have you used your over much yet? Each is individual and that could play a part. I know with baking, altitude and humidity can play a part too. But I wouldn’t be too discouraged, remember watching The American Baking Competition? Some of the most seasoned competitors had bad results with their own regular recipes. It seems like baking can be finicky like that.
And HUZZAH for the Picard quote, that’s one of my favourite episodes. So many great moments and a very interesting message.
Shannon, it’s so true, brownies are tough! I seem to only successfully make ones that require a huge dish but then it’s always way too much. My oven might be on the cooler side than my last one. It’s true, baking can be finicky and yay! So glad you saw the Picard quote Shannon. 🙂 The geek side came out of me! So much wisdom from Picard…
One of the best brownie recipes I have ever made is the one printed on the side of Fry’s Cocoa cans. Mosit, really chocolaty and dense.
Might not be a bad idea to test the temperature of your oven. 🙂
I should check the can I have Cheryl, thank you! It’s true, often the recipes that come with products are the best. Yup, gotta get an oven thermometer!
I say even bad brownies are still good. You make a nice trifle with them. I love trifles.
Oh a trifle, what a wonderful idea Shell! You know, I have never made one or even had one. Gotta remedy that.