Rich cocoa brownies with macadamia nuts and semisweet chocolate chips, finished with vanilla glaze and a piped chocolate design. Makes about 24 brownies.
Macadamia nuts and chocolate chips make these cocoa brownies especially rich. A smooth vanilla glaze and delicate piped chocolate finish turn each piece into a little dessert-shop treat.
Helpful Tips
- Use hot but not boiling water for the cocoa mixture.
- Let the brownies cool completely before glazing and cutting.
- For the chocolate decoration, keep the double-boiler water hot but not boiling.
THE RECIPE
Ultimate Designer Brownies
Prep20 min
Bake35–40 min
TotalAbout 2 hr
YieldAbout 24 brownies
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13 × 9-inch baking pan or two 8-inch square baking pans.
- Stir together the cocoa and baking soda in a medium bowl. Blend in 1/3 cup melted butter. Add the boiling water and stir until the mixture thickens. Stir in the sugar, eggs, and remaining 1/3 cup melted butter until smooth. Add the flour, vanilla, and salt; blend well. Stir in the macadamia nuts and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Pour into the prepared pan or pans.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the rectangular pan, or 30 to 35 minutes in the square pans, until the brownies begin to pull away from the sides. Cool completely.
- Make the vanilla glaze: combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl. Stir in warm water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable. Spread over the cooled brownies. Cut into triangles.
- Melt the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over hot, not boiling, water, stirring until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a pastry bag fitted with a small writing tip and pipe a decorative design onto each brownie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake the brownies in two square pans?
Yes. Use two 8-inch square pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
When do I add the vanilla glaze?
Spread it over the brownies after they have cooled completely, then cut into triangles and pipe the chocolate design.
Recipe adapted from the vintage cookbook page supplied by the site owner; wording clarified for readability with AI assistance. Featured image: AI-generated food photography.