Texas Sheet Cake Brownies

Texas Sheet Cake Brownies - made September 27, 2021 from Averie Cooks 

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 

6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate, chopped coarsely

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon brewed coffee, optional

1 teaspoon instant espresso powder, optional

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting

1/4 cup unsalted butter

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 3/4 to 2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In the top half of a double boiler set over hot water, melt butter and chocolate, whisking until completely melted and smooth. Add granulated sugar and stir to combine. Add eggs, vanilla, coffee and espresso (if using) and stir to combine.
3. Add the flour and salt; stir until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, not raw batter. Cool on a wire rack while making the frosting.
4. Frosting: in a medium saucepan, combine butter, milk and cocoa powder, stirring until butter is melted and whisking until combined. Let come to a boil and let boil for 15 seconds before removing from heat.
5. Add 1 3/4 cups confectioners sugar and vanilla, whisk until smooth and combined. Add additional 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar if you want a thicker frosting. Add nuts if desired. Spread frosting evenly over brownies, smoothing top with small metal spatula. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.

I had made the brownie version of Texas Sheet Cake before, originally called Essence of Chocolate Squares and it's one of my favorite brownie recipes on my blog. Which is saying something if you counted up all the brownies I've posted over the years.

So it's going to be high praise when I say this version of it from Averie Cooks is also delicious and probably going to be one of my go-to recipes whenever I want a frosted brownie.

The texture and flavor were on point. These aren't as rich as the Essence of Chocolate Squares as the frosting layer isn't as thick but it's still really amazing.