Fudgy Brownies

Recipe Source: Shirley Corriher
Yield: One 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23-cm) pan, about 24 pieces

• 1 1/2 cups (5.2 oz/149 g) pecans
• 1 1/2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons (13 oz/369 g) unsalted butter, cut into 1-Tablespoon (0.5-oz/14-g) pieces, divided
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 12 ounces (339 g) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped *
  
• 1 ounce (28 g) German's Sweet Chocolate *
• 4 large eggs (7 oz/198 g)
• 3 large egg yolks (1.95 oz/55 g)
• 1 1/2 cups (12.6 oz/375 g) dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup (4 oz/120 g) confectioners' sugar
• 2 Tablespoons (0.9 oz/2.5 g) granulated sugar
• 3 Tablespoons (45 ml) light corn syrup
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) pure vanilla extract *
• 3/4 teaspoon (4.5 g) salt
• 1 1/2 cups (6.6 oz/187 g) spooned and leveled bleached all-purpose flour

1. Arrange a shelf in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 300 F/149 C.
2. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. While the nuts are hot, stir in 2 Tablespoons (1 oz/28 g) of the butter. When cool, coarsely chop and set aside.
3. Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch (33 x 23 x 5-cm) pan with parchment sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or Release foil (nonstick side up), allowing overhand on both long sides to make removal easier.
4. Place the remaining 1 1/2 cups (12 oz/340 g) butter around the edge of a microwave-safe glass bowl. Place the semisweet and sweet chocolate in the center. Melt the butter and the chocolate in the microwave on 100% power for 1 minute, stirring at least 2 times, and then 15 seconds more, stirring 1 time. Or, place the chocolates and butter together in a stainless steel bowl. In a large skillet, bring water to a simmer. Set aside until the water is no longer steaming. Place the bowl of chocolate and butter in the hot water, being careful not to get water or steam into the chocolate. Stir the chocolate every few minutes until melted.
5. In a large bowl, heat the eggs with a fork just to blend whites and yolks. With a minimum of hand stirring, stir together the eggs, egg yolks, brown sugar, confectioners' sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt.
6. By hand, with a minimum of stirring, stir together the egg mixture and the chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out. Soak cake strips in water and wrap around the outside edge of the pan as directed.
7. Place the pan on the arranged shelf and bake until brownies just begin to pull away from the edge of the pan, about 1 hour. Err on the side of under cooking rather than risk drying out the brownies. A toothpick inserted should come out wet with gooey chocolate.
8. Cool completely in the pan on a rack. Remove the brownies from the pan, using the parchment or foil overhang to help lift out the brownies. When completely cool, wrap the brownies well with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
9. Place the brownies on a cutting board and remove the parchment or foil. Place another cutting board on top and turn over so that the brownies are right side up. Trim the edges and cut into 2-inch (5-cm) squares. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store refrigerated.

*RESOURCES:
Semisweet Chocolate - FoodieAffair.com
German's Sweet Chocolate - FoodieAffair.com
Pure Vanilla Extract - FoodieAffair.com