Brownie Pudding

I'm here. Nothing is wrong with your Google Reader. I haven't had time for baking let alone blogging, but this recipe is worth the wait—promise.

What I love about it is simple: the ingredients will be in your cupboard already, you throw it together in minutes, it feeds a crowd (or two adults... I'll say it took four nights to polish off, though only we know the truth...), and it's molten goo. It's perfect for Valentine's Day, but here are a few other suggestions to share with your sweetie.

Brownie Pudding
adapted from Ina Garten via Annie's Eats
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter—use the wrappers to grease the dish
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 c. sugar
- 3/4 c. cocoa powder
- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- 1 T liqueur of your choosing, optional (chocolate, Irish cream, hazelnut, etc., would all be divine)
- Ice cream, for serving (mint chocolate chip went very well, but I'd otherwise choose vanilla)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly butter a 2-quart oval baking dish. In a small bowl, melt the 2 sticks of butter in the microwave and set aside to cool.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and sugar on medium-high speed until thick and light yellow in color, 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, sift or whisk the cocoa and flour together in a medium bowl and set aside.

When the egg/sugar mixture is ready, reduce the speed to low and add the vanilla, liqueur (if using), and the cocoa/flour mixture. Mix only until just combined. With the mixer still on low, slowly pour in the cooled butter and mix again until just combined.

Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. (Next time, I'll throw caution to the wind and not use a water bath... just stick it in the oven as usual.) Place it in a larger roasting or baking pan. Add enough very hot tap water to the pan to come halfway up the side of the dish and bake for 1 hour. The center will appear underbaked, but that's exactly how it's meant to be.

Serve with ice cream—I chose to serve it warm right out of the oven, but it's pretty dangerous cold straight out of the fridge for breakfast too. (Just being honest here.)