Discover Murray Jaffe’s Ultimate Chewy Homemade Brownies: A Foolproof Recipe for Perfect Indulgence
Embark on a culinary journey with a timeless classic: brownies. This particular recipe hails from a true gem in the baking world, “The Perfect Recipe Baking Book: 50 Foolproof Recipes for America’s Classic Cakes, Pies, Cookies, and More” by the revered, late Murray Jaffe. More than just a collection of instructions, this book represents a passionate quest for perfection, promising genuinely foolproof results for some of America’s most beloved baked goods. These brownies are a testament to that promise, delivering a deeply satisfying texture and rich flavor that will elevate your home baking.
For many, Murray Jaffe might be an unfamiliar name, but his legacy in home baking is profound. My own introduction to his brilliance came upon discovering his book in a local library, and I’ve wished ever since that I could have met the man. Murray’s remarkable story began in 1971 when he helped his 17-year-old daughter, Barbara, establish her own baking company. This venture blossomed into the now-iconic Barbara’s Bakery, a successful enterprise they later sold to Weetabix. Despite their commercial success, both Barbara and Murray retained their deep-seated love for home baking. In his retirement, inspired by Barbara, Murray distilled decades of baking wisdom and carefully curated his collection of “perfect” recipes into this extraordinary cookbook. It features 50 recipes that, after years of refinement and personal belief, he considered to be the absolute pinnacle of their kind.
Among these meticulously selected recipes, Murray’s brownie creation holds a special place. His introduction to this particular recipe reveals a truly dedicated baker’s journey: he famously declared that he tested over 50 different brownie recipes before finally settling on this one as his ultimate standard of perfection. Such a powerful endorsement from a seasoned baker is hard to ignore, and it immediately piqued my curiosity. A claim of trying dozens of recipes before finding *the one* speaks volumes about the quality and thoughtful development behind it. For anyone seeking the ideal brownie, this declaration alone makes Murray Jaffe’s recipe an absolute must-try.
One fascinating and crucial aspect that sets Murray Jaffe’s Perfect Brownies apart is a technique that might initially seem counterintuitive to experienced bakers: the batter requires a good beating *after* the addition of flour. In traditional cake or muffin baking, the conventional wisdom emphasizes gentle stirring once flour is incorporated to avoid overdeveloping gluten, which can lead to a tough, dry texture. However, for brownies, particularly those aiming for a signature chewy texture, a different approach is beneficial. By beating the batter for a full two minutes after adding the flour, you deliberately strengthen the gluten structure. This intentional development of gluten is precisely what gives these brownies their desired density and that wonderfully satisfying chewiness, mimicking the beloved texture often found in popular box mixes, but with the unparalleled depth of flavor only homemade ingredients can provide. Murray himself highlights the importance of this step, and he is undeniably right. It transforms the texture from cake-like to a rich, dense, and chewy delight.
Beyond texture, flavor, of course, plays an equally vital role in a truly perfect brownie. In Murray’s recipe, the chocolate intensity primarily comes from cocoa powder, meaning the quality of your cocoa directly influences the final taste. While opting for a premium, high-quality cocoa will undoubtedly elevate the flavor profile to gourmet heights, the beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Even if you reach for your everyday, readily available cocoa, you are still guaranteed to produce exceptionally delicious brownies. The resulting treats boast a delightful contrast: they are wonderfully chewy around the edges and on the outside, while maintaining a thick, luxuriously soft, and fudge-like consistency in the center. This balance of textures, combined with rich chocolate flavor, is what makes these brownies truly remarkable.
Meanwhile, should you ever come across a copy of “The Perfect Recipe Baking Book,” consider yourself incredibly fortunate. This culinary treasure has been out of print for some time, making it a rare find for baking enthusiasts. Murray Jaffe was undeniably ahead of his time as a home baker, offering insights and advice that remain remarkably progressive and relevant even today. Every recipe in the book is introduced with personal anecdotes and valuable tips, but it’s his general advice on various baking elements that truly stands out. He delves into topics such as the precision of kitchen scales, the nuanced differences between salted and unsalted butter and how to adjust for them, the impact of different types of cookware on baking results, and even the often-overlooked weights of eggs. This level of detail and scientific understanding was groundbreaking for home cookbooks of that era, distinguishing him as a true pioneer in the art of precise and thoughtful home baking.
The experience of making these brownies is as rewarding as eating them. From the moment you start beating the butter and sugar, the aroma begins to build, promising a delightful treat. The simplicity of the ingredients belies the incredible depth of flavor that develops in the oven. As they bake, your kitchen will fill with the irresistible scent of warm chocolate, building anticipation for that first bite. This recipe isn’t just about following steps; it’s about connecting with a tradition of quality home baking and achieving results that truly taste like perfection. It’s a testament to Murray Jaffe’s meticulous approach that such a simple list of ingredients can yield such a profound and satisfying dessert, a truly foolproof recipe that lives up to its name.
Recipe: Murray Jaffe’s Perfect Chewy Cocoa Brownies
Murray Jaffe’s Perfect Chewy Cocoa Brownies
Recipe adapted from Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces 1 stick salted butter, room temperature **
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa – measure then sift after measuring
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt **
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
Instructions
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Line an 8-inch square metal pan with foil, ensuring an overhang for easy removal. Spray the bottom of the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Position an oven rack in the center of the oven.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter until it becomes light and creamy. Gradually beat in the granulated sugar until thoroughly combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating just until mixed in – avoid incorporating too much air at this stage. Stir in the cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth and evenly colored. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat for a full 2 minutes (this step is crucial for the chewy texture). Finally, add the water and vanilla extract and mix until just combined, then fold in the coarsely chopped toasted walnuts. The resulting dough will be thick, stiff, and sticky.
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Evenly spread the stiff dough into the prepared 8-inch pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (I found 30 minutes to be perfect in my oven), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter.
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Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan for at least a few hours, or preferably until fully chilled. Once cool, use the foil overhang to lift the brownies from the pan and cut them into 16 even squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
There’s a unique satisfaction in baking a truly excellent brownie, and Murray Jaffe’s recipe delivers that joy in spades. These brownies strike the perfect balance between the nostalgic texture of a beloved box mix and the rich, authentic flavor that only comes from careful, homemade preparation. They are an ideal treat for any occasion, whether you’re craving a simple indulgence or preparing a dessert for friends and family. So, gather your ingredients, follow Murray’s meticulously tested steps, and prepare to create a batch of perfect, chewy, cocoa-rich brownies that will undoubtedly become a new favorite in your repertoire. Happy baking!