Tips
for Great Brownies
How do
you prepare the pan for brownies?
We
usually line our pan with parchment paper or foil. Here’s how
you do it: Lightly grease the pan with butter or shortening, then
line the pan with parchment paper or foil. The butter or shortening
will hold the paper in place. Make certain that the paper protrudes
up the sides of the pan. After the brownies are baked and have partially
cooled, grab the edges of the paper and lift the cake to a cutting
board. Cut the cake into nice, neat squares on the cutting board using
a ruler.
Do you
like your brownies extra chewy?
Try using
bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. Bread flour has a higher
gluten content than does all-purpose. Gluten creates the chewy texture
that we find in good bread and will make your brownies chewier. Be
sure and mix your brownie batter for several minutes to develop the
gluten strands.
What's
the proper way to measure my flour?
Carefully
spoon the flour into your measure. If you dip and scoop, you will
pack the flour and the brownies will turn out more cake-like.
Can I double
my batch?
Certainly.
A recipe calling for an 8 x 8-inch pan can be doubled and baked in
a 9 x 13-inch pan. A recipe calling for 9 x 13-inch pan can be doubled
and baked in half-sheet pan, 12 x 18-inches. If you take a recipe
that calls for a 9 x 13-inch pan and multiple it by 1.5, you can use
a 10 x15-inch pan.
How long
do I need to let my brownies cool?
On a wire
rack in the kitchen, they should cool for four or five hours. We cheat
and often put them in the refrigerator after a half hour. We’ve
even been known to put them in the freeing compartment for a half
hour. The brownies should be completely cooled before cutting or trying
to lift the cake from the pan.
How do
you make nice, clean cuts when cutting brownies?
We usually
trim the edges so that the cookies will be uniform. Use a sharp knife
and wipe the blade with a damp cloth after each cut.
How do
you store brownies?
For short-term
storage, layer them between wax paper or parchment sheets inside of
a container with a tight-fitting lid. You can store your brownies
this way for up to five days. For longer-term storage, freeze them.
Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and put them in a heavy plastic
bag. They will last for several months.
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