The original brownies contained no chocolate! Molasses-based individual cakes called brownies appear in The Boston Cooking School Cook Book (1896) and The Sears, Roebuck Catalogue (1897). In 1893 the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago featured a chocolate bar cookie for the Columbian Exposition and this cookie claims to be the first brownie as we know it. By 1905 chocolate-based brownies appear in community cookbooks in the Midwest and New England. December 8th in National Brownie Day in the United States.

2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for pan
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
4 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup flour

Heat oven to 350° F. Butter a 9"x13" baking dish. Line with parchment paper and butter paper. Set aside.

Combine butter and chocolate in a medium bowl and microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir and if not fully melted, return to the microwave for a few minutes more. Set aside. Do this in intervals to avoid burning the chocolate!

Whisk together eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Stir in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour.  

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Spread evenly and bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes. 

 Makes 12 3-inch brownies

(Adapted from Nick Malgieri’s Supernatural Brownies)