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Brownies | June 8, 2010

Graduation Brownies

 
Graduation Brownies
 
When we moved here in 1994, Stephen was 2 years old. Last week, he graduated from Bountiful High, “Home of the Braves”.
The kids at BHS are an amazing bunch. Each time we have a child graduate, I am filled with gratitude for the blessings we enjoy. For one – living in a community among people of different backgrounds and faiths with a common thread of love for families. Love these kids. Stephen’s close friends are kids he has gone to school and church with since he was 2. They have been in scouting and earned their Eagle awards together. Hiked, fished, camped, sang in choirs, served others, played baseball, soccer, football and basketball together. We love all of their parents and they are among our closest friends. We take care of each other’s kids and love and teach them like they are our own. Yeah, I know you are thinking, really? Yes, really. I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends for my son.
It’s a love fest.
Serious blessings.
Now I’m teary…and I am not a cryer.
 
 
 
Steve, Spence, Benny, Mikey, & K.O. at Seminary Graduation
 
 
My friend Laurie (aka Amazing Chocolate Cake Laurie ) made NINE, yes NINE jelly roll pans of brownies she named “Graduation Brownies”. She was in charge of making treats at our Seminary graduation last week. My all time favorite brownie is Cooks Illustrated “Classic Brownie”. Laurie took that recipe, combined it with one of her own favorites, and came up with “Graduation Brownies”. Often, I have friends call and ask for a brownie recipe that can be baked in a standard (12x17x1 inch) half sheet or jelly roll pan. Up until now, I’ve always doubled a 9×13 recipe, but it was never just right. Laurie tweaked this recipe until it was perfect (wow, surprising)! Tried this recipe last weekend – it’s a keeper. Absolutely delish. Every moist crumb disappeared.
 
 
a few of my faves: Spence, Dan, Benny, Steve, Kelon and Mikey
 
Oh, to all of my favorite 2010 graduates- Motherly advice I know you want 🙂
 
Remember who you are.
Work hard.
Pray.
Pray.
Pray.
Listen.
Be kind.
Don’t forget to come back for cookies (and brownies).
Love you,
Si
 
IMG_4807
 
5 from 2 votes
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Graduation Brownies

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 3 dozen
Author abountifulkitchen

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cocoa unsweetened
  • 4 squares 1 oz. each unsweetened baking chocolate
  • 4 sticks unsalted butter 1 lb
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups cake flour all purpose flour also works

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325° place rack in middle of oven
  2. Generously spray a large cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) with cooking spray
  3. Melt butter, baking chocolate and cocoa together in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat and stir until smooth.
  4. Remove from heat.
  5. Gradually whisk in sugar by hand with a wire whisk.
  6. Add eggs, two at a time and stir until well blended after each addition also using a wire whisk, by hand.
  7. Whisk in vanilla.
  8. Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a separate bowl and stir.
  9. Fold flour mixture into chocolate mixture in three additions. Do not over mix, do not use a mixer.
  10. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake about 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.

Recipe Notes

-Important for this recipe-Do not mix brownies with an electric mixer. This recipe may likely overflow if not mixed by hand in large pan or a large bowl. -The brownie batter fits perfectly into a 12x17x1 jelly roll pan. The batter will almost fill to the top of the pan before cooked. -Laurie tried the brownies both with cake flour and regular flour and didn’t notice a significant difference.

31 thoughts on “Graduation Brownies

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  1. I love those boys as well. What fine young men they have grown up to be. Hard to believe they are old enough to graduate. I can't think of a better way to celebrate, a.k.a. crying, that Dan will soon be off to college than eating a pan of brownies. Thanks for the recipe!

  2. It's so hard to see children grow up but so nice knowing that they grew up "well". You must be so proud of your son (and his friends). My youngest graduated this week too. It's bittersweet.

  3. Ahhh cute post. Btw, I was surprised when I heard they had "super delicious refreshments" at the sem graduation. At the meeting (where we discussed the musical number for 40 minutes), they put the YM in charge of refreshments I thought.. and they said they were going to order 400 cookies from Dicks or Costco. I would have gone to graduation if I knew I could have had some of those!! 😉 (And actually be graduating.. and hear President Eyring speak..)Congrats to Stephen- going to the U?

  4. Si,
    I just love your blog. I've tried many of your recipes with great success! I especially love the Oreo cookie bar thing. I usually don't have a hard time stopping, but I could not stop eating that. It was sooo good.
    Amy Hedberg Brown

  5. Congrats to Stephen. And these brownies look great! I'm moving Saturday and these would be perfect to make for all my helpers. Thanks.

  6. Your brownies really look wonderful. As a matter of fact all your recipes sound wonderful and look delicious. How proud you must be of your graduate.
    I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary

  7. Brownies are one of my favorites. These look absoluely fabulous! I'm going to give them a try, alway on the hunt for the "BEST" brownie.

  8. these brownies are SO GOOD. my aunt made some for me and i ate them for breakfast every day for the next several days. i am craving one right now…

  9. Mine graduates next year. Slight tears already form now! He's my baby & my one & only!! Add to that my hubby turns 60 at the SAME TIME…..so a surprise birthday & graduation party. Both guys LOVE brownies (makes more sense than cake for my guys). This will work. I'll try a batch on them this weekend. Blessings!

  10. Amazing!!! I needed brownies for 100 so I asked my friend, and yours, Tessa if she had a good recipe. Boy did she ever! I will never bake another recipe! Thanks!

  11. Are you sure these aren’t supposed to go in a 15×20-inch pan? My mom made a batch of these last night to go to my niece’s baby blessing today and had them completely overflow her jellyroll pan. She later realized that she had the temp set to 350, and thought perhaps that was the problem. I also was assigned a batch, and made mine this morning, determined to follow the instructions to the letter. I even got out a measuring tape to double check that I was using the correct pan (12x17x1, as specified). The bottom of my oven is now covered in brownie overflow. The timer just went off and the brownies are still nowhere near done, and liquidy in the middle. Not cool. First recipe I’ve made from your site and super unimpressed.

    1. Angie,
      I somehow missed this comment in the que last week…
      I am so sorry you and your mom had the same experience with this recipe! I made these a month ago, but it had been a while since I carefully looked at this recipe. I have been making these for years, along with other family and friends who have always given it wonderful reviews. I did receive an email a few years back saying the batter overflowed. I talked to Laurie and the baker (who sent us a nice note saying she loved the brownies but they overflowed) , and we both concluded that using a mixer was most likely the problem. Mixing with a machine will whip air into the batter making it lighter instead of dense, and causing the batter to overflow. I should have altered the recipe at that time, but since I had only heard one complaint in several years, I did not adjust the instructions. I have done that now and again made the brownies last night when I first read your message. I re measured my pan (it was exactly as the recipe states 12x17x1) and 45 minutes after I started, I had a beautiful pan of brownies on my counter. I test each and every recipe and am committed to only posting recipes that will work for the average home cook! I know it is frustrating to spend the money and take time to make something only to have it flop. I am sorry you were unimpressed and hope you have a great day.

      1. Didn’t use a mixer. My stand mixer plummeted off the counter to its death, and my 20-year-old electric beaters gave up the ghost last year. Maybe I have underestimated my arm strength.

  12. Hi Si! I read the overflowing comment, and figured that lady must have done something wrong, and then in the last few minutes, mine overflowed too! I used a whisk, and barely mixed, only just until the white streaks started to disappear. They will still taste great I’m sure, but I just wanted to let you know it happened to me too! I seriously followed the instructions perfectly. I wonder what it could be? I’m not smart enough to know. :). Off to go eat some brownies.

    1. Erica,
      I am puzzled by this. after I read the other comment you are referring to , I asked a few people, including Laurie who developed this recipe. No overflowing problems. wondering if your pan is the same size? the “older” jelly roll pans are a bit smaller than the new ones being sold…maybe this is the issue? If you have time, take a measurement and lmk!
      thanks,
      Si

  13. What frosting recipe do you use for these Brownies? May we have your Recipe please? I will be making these many times in the future and I would love the frosting recipe you’ve used. Thanks for all your yummy recipes! -Judy

    1. Hi Judy,
      I don’t have this recipe published by itself, but need to do so, I have had lots of requests!
      1/2 cup butter soft. 4 cups powdered sugar. 1/4 teaspoon salt. 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth, add milk, a couple of tablespoons as needed.
      thanks for reading ABK!
      xo
      Si

  14. 5 stars
    Made these today for our HS baseball team! Oh my gosh! Perfection! So hard to do brownies in a sheet pan, but you nailed it! ❤️ Thanks!

  15. 5 stars
    I make these brownies for just about every big potluck or team dinner for years. I have made them for coach appreciation nights and family parties. There has never EVER been leftovers. Thank you for sharing this recipe and being part of so many special events! It’s a keeper!