Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies

Holy procrastination, batman!

Hey guys! I'm supposed to be packing because I am leaving for a long weekend in Denver tomorrow!!! So now let me ask you, what better time to blog? Exactly. I had these pictures of some delectable brownies I made over the weekend, so let me share. (PS I totally typed shart first, and I had to share/shart that with you.) 

Well, these were delicious. Only good can come of something that begins with melting a 4 oz chocolate bar and an entire stick of butter in a sauce pan. Only good. Chewy and very fudgey. Rich and very soft. The hazelnuts add a great crunch that is full of flavor and compliments the chocolate well. Almost candy-like. Yum! And the best part? Minimal dishes. (Who doesn't hate dishes?) Well, maybe not the best part. I guess the best part should really be the brownies...

Soundtrack: La Roux - La Roux

1/2 c. butter (yea, a whole stick)
4 oz. dark bittersweet chocolate (I like this one!)

4 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt 
2 c. sugar (yea, 2 cups)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. sifted all-purpose flour

3/4 c. chopped hazelnuts

Heat oven to 350.

Melt butter and chocolate together in a medium sauce pot. This will need to cool completely before incorporating it into the other ingredients (I don't know what happens if you don't; I've never tested it!) I stuck it in the freezer for a few minutes. Just don't let it harden.

Using an electric mixer (or a sweet hand-blender whisk attachment!) beat/whip the eggs and salt together until foamy. Add sugar and vanilla and continue beating to combine. Beat/whip (yea, you're getting a little abusive at this point) the mixture until it is thick.

Stir (by hand, using a spatula) in the cooled chocolate/butter mixture until combined (use as few strokes as possible!). Stir in flour gently, then stir in nuts.

Line a 9x13 in. pan with tin foil and grease. Pour mixture in. Bake for 25-35 min (check center with a toothpick, make sure it comes out clean!)

Sign of good things to come!

Ahhh, we meellltteedd!

Beat it!

This is what your mixture should look like
riiiight before adding the chocolate!

Final product, once again