She Strengthens

Elevate Your Baking Game with These Decadent Brownies

A Twist on a Classic

Imagine sinking your teeth into a rich, fudgy brownie, infused with the deep flavors of coffee, chocolate, and olive oil. Sounds heavenly, right? Kir Jensen, the mastermind behind the popular Portland food cart theSugar Cube, shares her secret recipe for these indulgent treats.

The Magic Happens in the Muffin Pans

To achieve the perfect brownie, Kir bakes them in muffin pans, creating a unique, gooey center. The key to success lies in serving them warm, straight from the wrapper, with a spoon to prevent sticking.

Get Ready to Indulge

Before diving into the recipe, note that you’ll need a pastry brush and a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. If you’re in Portland, you can even take a cooking class with Kir at Cookshop to learn more tricks of the trade.

The Recipe

Brownies

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature

Coffee Syrup

• 1/4 cup strong-brewed coffee
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Assembly

• 1/2 recipe Chocolate Ganache
• Fruity or grassy extra-virgin olive oil (look for one made with arbequina olives)
• Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon

Let’s Get Baking!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare two 12-well muffin pans with paper liners.
2. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Beat the butter in a stand mixer until fluffy, then add sugars and mix until light and fluffy.
4. Add crème fraîche, vanilla, and eggs, mixing until evenly combined.
5. Turn the mixer to low speed, add the flour-cocoa mixture, and mix until just combined.
6. Divide the batter among the muffin pans and bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.

Coffee Syrup

1. Combine coffee and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute, then set aside.

Assembly Time!

1. Brush the brownies with coffee syrup while still hot.
2. Let the brownies cool for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans to finish cooling.
3. Divide the ganache among the brownies, placing it in the indentations.
4. Just before serving, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Indulge and Enjoy!

These decadent brownies are sure to impress your friends and family. With their rich flavors and gooey centers, they’re the perfect treat for any occasion. So go ahead, get baking, and experience the bliss of these indulgent treats!