Photo: Leigh Loftus
These double chocolate brownies are studded with butterscotch and chocolate chips with the rich taste of cocoa and vanilla.
I’ve always liked the word serendipity, from visiting to New York’s famous frozen hot chocolate purveyor as a child to the John Cusack movie that earned my viewership a number of times during a brief lovelorn period my senior year of college. This past weekend I experienced serendipity firsthand when I was deleting the bulk of the online newsletters and junk mail clogging my inbox and came across a simple chocolate brownie recipe from Real Simple.
Since the holidays my cabinets have been cluttered with baking supplies that I purchased but never got around to using – brown sugar, powdered sugar, two five-pound bags of bread flour and as luck would have it, a bag of butterscotch chips. As much as I love simple chocolate brownies, there are times when my sweet tooth overtakes the rational side of my mind and I take a perfectly good baked good and make it even sweeter.
I’ve never liked February very much. When I was in eleventh grade the boy I had been dating old me that he didn’t like me anymore on February 6th. I don’t know why that date stands out so vividly in my mind but it was right before my SAT class in the evening so I had to sit through two hours of reading comprehension while holding back tears because one teenage boy didn’t think I was good enough to be his girlfriend.
I eventually moved on from the boy and scored respectably on my SATs and one might say the rest is history. Ever since that time many many eleven years ago, I have held an otherwise inexplicable grudge against the month of February. Since the pre-SAT prep break-up, nothing especially good has ever happened in February. Of course I feel lucky that nothing earth shatteringly terrible has taken place, but nonetheless there has been enough blah during the second month of my calendar years that I would very much enjoy just crossing it off the calendar and skipping from January right to March.
This year, I would like that unlucky streak to turn itself around and I think that these brownies – super sweet but perfect when paired with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee – are a great place to start.
- Double Chocolate Butterscotch Brownies:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 ounces (1/2 12 ounce bag) butterscotch chips
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended)
- Heat oven to 350° F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with 2 crisscrossed pieces of parchment, buttering in between and leaving an overhang on all sides; butter the parchment.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and chocolate. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth. Let cool slightly. Whisk in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan
- Holding the paper overhang, lift the brownies out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares (4 rows by 4 rows).
52 Comments
kristina
October 24, 2012 at 11:24 amHi. I just found this recipe.. and I’m not sure when to add the butterscotch chips? Melt them with the chocolate or add them after the flour? Thanks!
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Elaine
February 20, 2012 at 6:24 pmYour recipes are the best !!! You do a great job. I only follow your blog and also http://www.cookingwithmrc.tublr.com
It’s my other favorite. This guy can cook. He did a whole Super Bowl theme (I liked your recipes too) and now it’s Oscar week. Your blogs keep me very motivated. Thanks so much!!!
Elaine G.
The Teacher Cooks
February 20, 2012 at 1:18 pmChocolate and butterscotch are my favorites and in a brownie is even better.
Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious
February 19, 2012 at 4:26 pmMmmm… butterscotch in brownies 🙂 My fave ever!
Maureen
February 19, 2012 at 6:41 amI have no idea how I missed these but I’m quite convinced these are my very favorite brownies without having to bake them even once. They look amazing.
Jamie
February 18, 2012 at 8:07 amOkay, not to be a spoil sport, but I could say “Well, at least you had a boyfriend in high school which some of us most definitely did not have!” but I won’t. Damn Valentine’s Day I say… how many people have cried through how many Valentine’s Days? And drown our tears in stunning, rich, decadent brownies sounds about right. These look utterly perfect!
vianney
February 17, 2012 at 7:35 amHigh School boys suck! I had a few ruin my month of Feb, happily now I have mi carino..but these brownies sure can sweeten up any day!
Kitchen Belleicious
February 17, 2012 at 7:19 amhow awesome do those bad boys loook! Wow, thick, chewy and extra delicious with the butterscotch. I am hooked!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
February 16, 2012 at 3:04 pmButterscotch brownies > boys.
Hmph.
Cassie
February 15, 2012 at 10:00 pmThese are right up my alley. I’ve been on such a brownie kick lately. Love this!
Alana D
February 15, 2012 at 1:01 pmYessss my kinda brownie!
Samantha Angela
February 15, 2012 at 8:56 amPre-SAT and pre-Valentine’s break-up?? That kid sounds like a tool. But I guess he can be forgiven for his adolescent ignorance.
I actually really like February. It hopeful. It’s a brief month where the days start getting a bit longer and you’re itching for spring but still enjoying the winter weather. Plus I love the air about Valentine’s Day.
brandi
February 15, 2012 at 8:14 amI LOVE butterscotch chips, but i’ve never added them to brownies! great, great idea.
Juliana
February 14, 2012 at 5:11 pmWow Maris, these brownies look great, like it with the butterscotch chips.
Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂
Linda
February 14, 2012 at 7:10 amI think my pantry has all these ingredients waiting to be baked into these delicious brownies!! I love the addition of butterscotch and cant wait to taste these!!
Blond Duck
February 14, 2012 at 5:53 amThis has me dreaming of a pb blondie version (since I’m allergic to chocolate)
The Waspy Redhead
February 13, 2012 at 2:08 pmThese look devine and sound so simple. I don’t experiment enough with butterscotch, I need to add that to my to-do list.
Kate Wall
February 13, 2012 at 8:23 amYum! These look delish, Maris! I think I might have to make these tonight 🙂
Joanne
February 13, 2012 at 7:22 amI typically don’t adore february that much…until the 25th, on which it is my birthday. Though I’m not really a big birthday lover either. so.much.pressure.
Brownies? Brownies make all days better. Even bad months. These sound awesome with the butterscotch chips!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
February 13, 2012 at 2:13 amOh yes, this will make me very happy! I haven’t had brownies for such a long time (yes behaved well. :-)). I should make this very soon!
rebecca
February 12, 2012 at 9:40 pmfun brownies love a glass of milk with a sweet treat
Heather in SF
February 12, 2012 at 8:31 pmA dear friend believes February is cursed as each year three bad things happen to her. However I believe that when things go wrong the only cure is brownies, really!! I am going to share your recipe with her to help cut off the evil February blues at the knees!
bellini
February 12, 2012 at 10:31 amThese sound like the perfect guilt free treat for mt craving of chocolate. Why do we crave chocolate this time of the year!
Courtney
February 12, 2012 at 10:22 amThese sound incredible! I also have a bunch of holiday baking stuff that I didn’t use since I couldn’t handle being in the kitchen early on in pregnancy.. Now I want to make a sheet of brownies or cookies every week 🙂
lisa {smart food and fit}
February 12, 2012 at 8:26 amMy husband would love this, he’s a huge butterscotch fan. I too love this month, gives me an excuse to eat more chocolate! lol
Anne@FromMySweetHeart
February 11, 2012 at 11:08 pmMaris…these look so fudgy! And I bet the addition of the butterscotch gives them a special richness, too! Perfect for the February doldrums! : )
Hotly Spiced
February 11, 2012 at 4:32 amWhat gorgeous looking brownies. Thank goodness you didn’t send that recipe to the trash.
Blond Duck
February 10, 2012 at 9:03 pmI admit it–I eat butterscotch chips out of the bag.
Di-licious
February 10, 2012 at 7:39 pmI hope you shake the February grudge this year with these delicious sounding brownies. Chocolate and butterscotch! Yum!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Cheers
Di x
Melissa@IWasBornToCook
February 10, 2012 at 7:04 pmButterscotch gets me giddy!
Marsha @ The Harried Cook
February 10, 2012 at 7:02 pmI love butterscotch chips! And the texture of these brownies looks fabulous! Just the way I like them… Thanks for sharing, Maris!
Kristen
February 10, 2012 at 5:58 pmEver since I started making those rice crispy bars with the chocolate and butterscotch chips melted on together on top, I have been in love with the choc/butterscotch combo. These brownies sound heavenly! I hope your February continues on course to be fabulous!
Liz
February 10, 2012 at 2:33 pmOh, gosh, the butterscotch chips just push these over the top! My printer has been going overtime with all the great recipes this week…like yours 🙂
Kankana
February 10, 2012 at 2:05 pmWell, Feb happens to be my favorite month actually 🙂 even though I am more of a summer girl. Yesterday I had a baking disaster with brownies !! These looks perfect, just the type I was hoping to bake. Next time i follow this recipe.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
February 10, 2012 at 12:22 pmMaris, these brownies look AMAZING, and best of all, I have all the ingredients to make them! I think I’ve been left with no choice…
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350
February 10, 2012 at 9:58 amIt’s so strange how our lives are shaped by things that happen so long ago. Hope you will have some GREAT Februaries from now on to make up for bad/mediocre ones. These brownies definitely seem like a great start.
Dana
February 10, 2012 at 8:37 amIf anything could cheer up a heartbroken 16 year old girl, it would be these deliciously irrational butterscotch brownies!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
February 10, 2012 at 6:58 amI like the word serendipity too. You know what other word I like? BUTTERSCOTCH!
Lisa
February 10, 2012 at 3:46 amIf only mean boy could see you now 😉 These brownies are definitely a step in the right direction for better February’s to come!
thatShortChick
February 9, 2012 at 7:36 pmI always have a batch of brownies as a treat to myself (not in one sitting!) come valentine’s day. but I agree, I wouldn’t mind passing over valentine’s day and straight to March (my birthday month)
katelin
February 9, 2012 at 6:18 pmoh pure magical chocolate bliss. must try these.
Mom
February 9, 2012 at 4:31 pmYou will get dizzy because that’s how fast it is going to turn around!!!
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray
February 9, 2012 at 1:13 pmThese look amazing!
Greg
February 9, 2012 at 1:11 pmI need to buy butterscotch ASAP!
Nikki
February 9, 2012 at 12:36 pmThese look fantastic! I hope your February luck turns around too! xo
Geni
February 9, 2012 at 11:31 amHeaven on earth. These brownies are calling to me, and perhaps I should whip them up for my kids for their rather large afternoon snacketites (snack + appetite). 🙂
Erica
February 9, 2012 at 10:33 amThese would be a perfect valentine’s day treat! We’re making treat boxes for a few friends, I may throw these babies in there!!
sarah
February 9, 2012 at 9:55 amYUM!
leslie
February 9, 2012 at 9:22 amOhhhh. February 6th…I can’t believe you remembered that day. You should probably go find him and beat him up!!!
Amanda
February 9, 2012 at 9:18 amYou had me at butterscotch…