Browned Butter Red Velvet Brownies

Browned Butter Red Velvet Brownies - made November 27, 2019 from Something Swanky

Tis the season for red velvet. I was sending my December care packages to deployed soldiers and wanted something holiday-ish to send. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm not a big fan of the typical flavors of the Christmas season. Eggnog? No. Gingerbread? Meh. Peppermint by itself is okay but not with chocolate. It's also inadvisable to send peppermint-flavored things that'll be in an enclosed box for long periods of time as that flavor will permeate everything else around it.

However, I can and do get behind red velvet anything but particularly either cakes or brownies. Brownies fare better and last longer in a care package than cake so I went with this red velvet brownie recipe from Something Swanky.

And it delivered. Sturdy, fudgy, moist. I kept them plain since I was mailing them but as always, if you want to fancy them up, dust with tops with powdered sugar. You can also frost or glaze with a cream cheese frosting or a vanilla glaze then garnish with red and green M&Ms. But I can attest they're also excellent plain. I've now made 2 batches of this brownie and sent them in multiple care packages. They've delivered each time.

1 1/4 cups butter
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
powdered sugar for dusting, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degress F. Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat, stirring constantly until butter has reached a light brown color and browned bits are at the bottom.
3. Pour browned butter into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add sugar and cocoa powder and beat until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between each addition until almost creamy.
4. Add the salt, buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla.
5. Add the flour and mix to combine. Batter will be thick.
6. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting.