Recipe: Banana Walnut Cake Brownies (using unsweetened chocolate)

BANANA WALNUT CAKE BROWNIES

6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut in pieces
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup mashed bananas, about 2 medium
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 oz walnuts (about 1/2 cup), toasted, coarsely chopped*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with rack in middle. Lightly butter and flour an 8-inch square baking pan, tapping out excess flour.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter with vegetable oil. Off heat, add chocolate and let stand one minute; whisk until smooth. Let stand ten minutes until tepid.

Whisk in both sugars. Whisk in eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour, mashed bananas, baking powder and salt just until blended. Stir in chopped walnuts. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan

Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted 1-inch from the edge of the brownie comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire cake rack.

Marian: These need to bake 10-15 minutes longer than recipe says or the center is really gooey. I cover the edges with foil in about 1 1/2-inches from edge), lower oven to 300 degrees F and keep testing until center is almost dry. Worth the trouble - they are yummy!

*I substitute chocolate chips for the walnuts. You could use both.

From: Dawn, 11-20-97