Brownie Buttons

It's been awhile (a week or two maybe) since I've posted a dessert recipe. I just discovered these in the past week and have made them twice already. These are, in fact, the perfect brownie recipe. What makes these better than the other perfect brownie recipes? you may find yourself asking. Well, let me tell you.

These are very easy to make (especially if you leave out the orange zest). You can make the whole thing in the time it takes to preheat the oven. You only need one pot (in which to melt the butter, brown sugar, and chocolate). Plus, they only take 15 - 18 minutes to bake.

These brownies pair oranges and chocolate. Mmmm....

These make a small batch. Come to think of it, that may be problem. There is no picture because of the small batch problem. They were eaten before I had a chance to photograph them. Very rarely, do I want to make a 9 x 9" pan of brownies or worse, a 9 x 13" pan of brownies. These are bite sized and make only 12 little cupcake size of brownies. Perfect for an evening snack.

I am craving chocolate just thinking about Brownie Buttons.

Brownie Buttons
adapted from Baking from My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan

Grated zest of 1/2 orange (optional)
1 t sugar (optional)
1/4 c plus 2 T all purpose flour
pinch of salt
1/4 c butter, cut into 4 pieces
1/3 c (2 1/2 oz) bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/3 c packed brown sugar
1/2 t vanilla extract
1 large egg

In a small bowl, using your fingers, mix together the orange zest and sugar. Set aside. Meanwhile, over very low heat, melt butter, chocolate and brown sugar, watching frequently to be sure nothing overheats or burns. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, egg and orange zest. When the mixture is well blended, stir in the flour and salt, stirring only until it is incorporated.

Spoon the batter into 12 lightly buttered mini- muffin cups (one pan's worth). Bake in preheated 350 degrees oven for 15 - 18 minutes, or until the tops of the brownies spring back when touched. Cool for 3 minutes and then remove from pans and cool on racks as long as you can wait (which is not at all. Warm brownies...).