Indulgent Comfort Olive Oil Brownies Recipe

I didn't anticipate being away for so long! In early October, I was busy perfecting a cake recipe that boasts a whopping 2.5 pounds of apples (perfect for folks like me who tend to overindulge during orchard visits), but then everything changed, and thoughts of food took a backseat. By the time I resurfaced, it was November, a month consumed by a whirlwind book tour, leaving me longing for my sofa, some peace and quiet, and a window overlooking the last remnants of autumn leaves.

Please know: Life gets hectic, schedules go haywire, but I'll always return to this space because I love it here, I love connecting with you all, and 17 years hasn't changed that. The longer I'm away, the more delightful the backlog — December promises to be fantastic.

It wasn't all chaos: I also became an aunt for the first time to the most adorable little bundle of joy. Despite missing out on prepping freezer meals with my sister-in-law, I've been making up for it by experimenting with family-sized one-pot meals for our weekend visits. Think pot roast with a plethora of veggies (definitely counts as arm day when you lug it indoors) and a cozy chicken and barley stew that I'll be sharing soon. And now, with dairy temporarily off the table, I've been tinkering with an olive oil brownie recipe that I can't wait to share with you.

If you're a fan of My Favorite Brownies, you'll notice some similarities. This recipe still starts with unsweetened chocolate for rich depth, uses granulated sugar, can be made in one bowl, and is whisked by hand. But there are some tweaks. I've scaled up the chocolate to 4 ounces to use a full bar (because who wants random squares of mean chocolate lying around?). Olive oil adds a deeper flavor profile, complemented by extra cocoa powder, double the vanilla, and a sprinkle of sea salt on top. And while I know some might balk at the sugar content, trust me — it's just right for balancing the bitterness of the chocolate and cocoa. Decreasing the sugar would result in a drier, more cookie-like brownie, and that would be a tragedy. I want you to fall in love with these brownies too.

Olive Oil Brownies Recipe

Indulge in the rich flavors of these decadent olive oil brownies, perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.

Ingredients

·         4 ounces (115 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped

·         10 tablespoons (130 grams) mildly flavored olive oil

·         1 3/4 cups (345 grams) granulated sugar

·         1/4 cup (20 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

·         3 large eggs

·         1 tablespoon (15 grams) vanilla extract

·         2/3 cup (85 grams) all-purpose flour

·         Pinches of flaky salt for finishing

Instructions

1.    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. Coat any exposed sides or corners of the pan with nonstick spray.

2.    In a large bowl, combine the chopped chocolate and olive oil. Melt the mixture most of the way over gently simmering water or in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Stir until smooth and fully melted.

3.    Whisk in the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and kosher salt until well combined.

4.    Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.

5.    Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour until just combined.

6.    Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the top lightly with flaky salt.

7.    Bake for 30 to 34 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8.    Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to gently lift them out of the pan onto a cooling rack. Let them cool for another 10 minutes if you can resist, then cut them into 16 squares.

9.    For clean cutting, use a disposable plastic knife, even when the brownies are still warm.

Make Ahead

·         Leftover brownies can be stored in the fridge for maximum fudginess.

·         Brownies also freeze well when tightly packed in an airtight container, lasting for at least a month.

Enjoy these luscious olive oil brownies as a delightful treat any time of day!