Walmart Brownies

Walmart, while not everyone's favorite retailer, does have one important distinction. Walmart is large enough to dictate minimum quality standards to it's suppliers that are slightly higher than other retailers can get.  One of their products that stands out for it's quality is their house brand Waterbridge chocolate. These large bars of about one pound for $3.98 are an excellent source of chocolate, particularly extra dark.  While you're there you should pick up some parchment paper, it's with the aluminum foil and will make your life as a pastry chef much easier, the dishwasher's too!

These are the best brownies I've ever tasted and they are jaw droppingly simple to make.  Get 2 eggs out of the fridge to warm up and line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper ( just press it down into the pan so it covers all 4 sides) and spray with oil or brush with butter.  Set the oven to 350º and put a small pot, about 1 liter(quart), on the stove with the burner on low.  Put 6 tablespoons of butter in the pot (3oz or 3/4 of 1/4 cup if you want to slice it off the brick) and when melted take half an extra dark chocolate bar, 4 rows, and put it in the pot. Spread 1 cup of raw nuts on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for 10 minutes when it's at temperature.  Stir the chocolate around occasionally while it melts but do not get it too hot or the chocolate will lose it's temper and the eggs will cook when you try to mix them in.  When it is all liquid take it off the heat. If you have gotten your chocolate too hot and it has separated, I don't know how to fix it so throw it out and start again. If you have smooth barely warm uniform melted chocolate proceed with the next step.

Mix in  3/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.  Beat the eggs in one at a time then add 1/4 cup flour and beat vigorously for 1 minute.  It is important to beat it 1 minute to achieve the proper texture and consistency.  Finally, add 1 cup chopped nuts, mix and pour into the parchment paper. Bake 30 minutes, do not over bake. Let them cool completely before lifting the paper from the pan.  They do not need icing but they go well with ice cream which you can make while the brownies are cooling. Here is the complete list of ingredients:

6 tbsp butter (3/8 cup)
4 rows or 8 ounces Waterbridge Extra Dark (or Dark) Chocolate
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 cup toasted chopped nuts