Decadent Red Wine Brownies with Red Wine Ganache

 

"With great chocolate comes great responsibility," - Larry Boy.....

The cucumber had it right, chocolate can be good, or it can be GREAT!!  I have only made homemade brownies once before....they were a flop - dry, no rich flavor...sawdust in a pan really.  Since then I have stuck with brownie mixes, I love those things for a quick wonderful chocolate brownie fix that doesn't need to be used as fire starter.  NOW, however, I have discovered GREATNESS in a pan!


Red Wine Brownies.....I can not describe to you the wondrousness of these things.  These are a very rich, decadent, smooth brownie (insert I went to go get one and eat as I type here...) Chocolate and WINE - two of my favourite things married together in a pan.  Oh my!!!  One can only eat small amounts of this as to not be overwhelmed by their AWESOMENESS!  I used a Melbec wine from Argentina, but any red wine would be just fine...It doesn't overpower the chocolate, but enhances it and adds a "je ne sais qwaaaaah" about the whole thing....It's beautiful.  So here it is.  Make it for one you love, and for yourself too....

Red Wine Brownies with Red Wine Ganache

-adapted from Simply Scratch

What you need:

- 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, divided
- 4 ounces Unsweetened Chocolate, evenly chopped
- 2 cups Sugar
- 3 whole Eggs
- 1 teaspoon  vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons Melbec (or any red wine)Wine
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

What you do:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9 baking dish with parchment paper and grease with either butter or baking spray.

2.  In a medium size sauce pan over low heat; melt the 3/4 cup of butter and the 4 ounces of chopped unsweetened chocolate.

3.  Once the chocolate has melted and is smooth add in the two cups of sugar.  Stir to combine.

4.  Add in the three eggs, whisking after adding each one.

5.  Stir in Vanilla and the half cup of red wine.

6.  In a large bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

7.  Pour the chocolate/sugar mixture into the bowl, stir until all the ingredients are incorporated and set aside.

8.  For the ganache: In a small sauce pan combine the 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons of butter and the 3 tablespoons of red wine.  Heat over low and stir constantly until smooth and silky.

9.  Spread 2/3 of the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the wine-ganache over top. Pour remaining 1/3 batter over the ganach and spread with a spatula.

10.  With a sharp knife make a couple zig-zags through the brownies to create a swirl pattern then place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minute.  WATCH CAREFULLY!!

Let cool completely before removing the brownies.
Cut and serve and ENJOY!