Bakery-Style Frosted Brownies
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 1 (8X8-inch) pan; about 12 servings
 
Ingredients
Brownies:
  • 4 oz semisweet chocolate (about ⅔ cup good quality semisweet chocolate chips will work), melted in a double boiler or microwave
  • 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature, plus more to grease the pan
  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine; look for solid-pack pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
Frosting:
  • 6 oz semisweet chocolate (or about 1 cup good quality semisweet chocolate chips)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch instant coffee powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk (any kind you like)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F; grease an 8 by 8-inch pan with butter.
  2. Whisk together the melted chocolate and butter until smooth, then whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla. Once incorporated, whisk in the eggs and then the sugar. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to over-mix.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool completely.
  4. Wait to make the frosting until the brownies are cooled and ready to be frosted, because this frosting should be spread on immediately. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a double boiler or microwave. Whisk in the vanilla, coffee powder, and salt, then stir in the powdered sugar and enough milk to reach your desired consistency. If the frosting isn’t smooth, re-heat it briefly in a double boiler or microwave until smooth and lump-free, then immediately spread it on the cooled brownies.
  5. Let the frosting set before cutting the brownies and serving.
Recipe by An Edible Mosaic™ at https://www.anediblemosaic.com/bakery-style-frosted-brownies-and-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-sandy-helping-those-in-need/