Brownies to Fight Aging

• Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward

DSC_2287Apparently, many of the foods I love fight aging. Such as chocolate. The full list recently published in a popular health magazine includes:

• Green tea

• Fish

• Nuts

• Chocolate – at least 1 to 1.5 ounces! Yippee!

• Coffee – up to five cups. YES.

• Wine – a moderate amount. Isn’t more better?

• Berries

• Tomatoes

• Broccoli

You may have noticed that I am thrilled to hear that wine, coffee and chocolate made the list. Yesterday, I decided to live longer and healthier – and make some brownies to fight aging. Filled with roasted pecans. Devoured with moderate amounts of red wine. Whatever ones defines as moderate.

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Of course, I had finished a pot of coffee earlier in the day; that food category had been covered.
DSC_2271Yesterday was a special day. A good friend, her hubby and kids are visiting family in New Mexico. They recently moved far away and have been missed. Our children get along famously; it’s always fun to get everyone together. Yesterday, she and her adorable munchkins stopped by for a play-date.
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My friend and I adore chocolate (as do our daughters!). It was a perfect afternoon to make – and eat – something brimming with cocoa. And, about an ounce and a half of chocolate must be nibbled to have the full benefits, right?
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Kiyo over at My Lilikoi Kitchen published her recipe adaptation of San Francisco Fudge Foggies. Are they rich, truffle-like brownies – or a delectable fudge?
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Well, I suppose they are simply scrumptious: fudgy, truffle brownies, packed to the gills with melted, velvety, rich dark chocolate and completely stuffed with earthy, roasted nuts. There is just enough flour to hold the batter together. Nice. They taste amazing and are overflowing with chocolate and nuts – so I have concluded that they could prevent aging. I mean, two categories covered in one recipe?! A glass of wine with a foggie and you’re set. Red wine and dark chocolate are a heavenly pair. Anything for the sake of  good health.
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I followed Kiyo’s recipe almost exactly. The only changes were to add vanilla, a touch of extra coffee and nuts – and to roast the nuts. An executive decision to add extra chocolate to the tops of the foggies was made. To prevent aging.
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Kiyo’s recipe was scaled down the recipe to fit an 8×8 inch pan. However, she mentions that the foggies freeze beautifully when cut into small squares – and that Barbara Feldman of San Francisco submitted the recipe and won first place in the chocolate confection category at Chocolatier Magazine’s The Great Chocolate Challenge 1986. Making a huge batch could be the ticket to bliss.
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My New Year’s Resolution: Have a chocolate-covered day, everyday!

Warm regards,

Shanna 

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Fudgy Foggies

Adapted Kiyo’s recipe at My Lilikoi Kitchen – which was originally adapted from from the San Francisco Fudge Foggies recipe in Chocolatier Magazine.

Is it brownie? A truffle? Fudge? I am not sure. But, it’s very chocolatey.

Ingredients:

1, 10 ounce bag 60% good quality bittersweet chocolate chips, divided (such as Ghirardelli)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 Tbsp. strong coffee

2 large eggs, room temperature

3/4 cup white, granulated sugar

1/4 cup all purpose flour, sifted

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. best quality pure vanilla extract

6 ounces pecans, roasted and coarsely chopped

cooking spray, to grease parchment paper

Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with canola oil spray greased parchment paper that extends over the edges of the pan.
  • In a small saucepan, melt eight ounces of dark chocolate, the butter and the coffee over low heat.
  • Cool for 10 minutes. Stir in the vanilla.
  • In a standing mixer, beat the eggs at high speed for 30 seconds or until foamy.
  • Then, gradually add the sugar while the mixer is running.
  • Beat the mixture for two minutes more or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the cooled, melted chocolate mixture – until just blended.
  • In a small bowl, mix the nuts with the salt and the flour mixture.
  • Use a wooden spoon or spatula stir in the flour-nut mixture.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter with the remaining two ounces of dark chocolate chips.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes or until the edges are just set. The middle will puff up slightly and a toothpick inserted two inches from the edges comes out clean. Air on the side of under-baking if you must. Do not over-bake.
  • Cool in the pan for one hour. Have a slice or two of the foggies.
  • Cover the remainder with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  • Use the parchment paper to lift the Foggies out of the pan. Cut into squares. Devour, devour, devour. Oh, chocolate!

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©Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, shannaward.com (2013), unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without expressed and written permission from this blog’s author, Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, and/or owner is strictly and completely prohibited.

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86 thoughts on “Brownies to Fight Aging”

    1. Beverlee – I am quite certain that you have some very scrumptious, oh-so-chocolatey brownie recipes up your sleeve! 🙂 You are quite the baking queen. Thank you for your compliments and kind note. I am so glad that you stopped by. Have a fantastic day! – Shanna

      Reply

  2. Yum! Looks very moist, which is the best. Coffee works very well to enhance the chocolate flavor. You could also use instant espresso powder. Funny typo in the start: “Apparently, many of the foods I love fight AGAIN.” 🙂

    Reply

    1. Oh, gosh, Stefan:
      Thank you for noticing the typo. I think this is a case of autocorrect. Or a house filled with loud, happy children. I am easily distracted. 😉 You are now hired as my copy editor! 🙂 Lovely suggestion to use fine espresso powder in the recipe. I do love how coffee accentuates the deep, earthy notes of cocoa. Thank you for your kind comments and your visit. Enjoy your evening!
      Best regards, Shanna

      Reply

    1. Haha, thank you so much, Melissa. Your comments are so warm and make me smile. You and I shall take on this resolution together and make sure the other stays on track! 🙂 I also resolve to have a Manhattan on New Year’s Eve in the form of the recipe that you just posted. 😉 Have a lovely day… Shanna

      Reply

  6. fantastic!!! love how you spun this as a health food 🙂 Also good to hear that up to 5 cups of coffee gets a thumbs-up! And don’t forget that eggs are the gold-standard for protein 😉 Those brownies look amazing.

    Reply

    1. Haha, Liz. I am glad that enjoyed this little health food parody! 🙂 Ah, yes, I forgot to mention the added health benefits of our chickens’ fresh eggs in these foggies. 😉 Thank you for visiting… and saying such wonderful things. Have a fantastic afternoon. Warmest wishes, Shanna

      Reply

  9. Great looking brownies Shanna! I am loving the list of health foods, all but the coffee. I actually don’t like coffee, well except with LOTS of Irish cream liqueur in it! Coffee and chocolate though, ah, a match made in heaven. And dark chocolate with red wine, I am so there.

    Reply

  10. What a good excuse! And I happen to love all of those ingredients listed – except the red wine that I do like but never drink alcohol. Anyway, brownies have been on my ever expanding list of things to bake as they’re not so popular over here. Or are they? It’s certainly not the type of thing I shop for. This recipe has it all for me – especially the strong coffee. Which, at the moment, has changed to cafe con leche. Twice a day!!

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Johnny. I love brownies. In Europe, they are not common… I always baked my own when living there. Even had a friend ship me the proper pan and ingredients. I hope that you try this recipe.. and some red wine… very soon. Café con leche has very special memories for me and is one of my favorite beverages. Best wishes for a happy New Year. Warm regards, Shanna

      Reply

    1. Thank you! I see that you are also a fan of your “uppers.” Being a nurse, it is a must, I assume. My husband is a physician who works long hours and does not drink coffee. He must be insane. 🙂 Thank you for your visit. My very best to you for a sweet new year – I would gladly share these brownies if you were within the state! Warm regards, Shanna

      Reply

  13. Oh my God! Perfect brownies you made 🙂 I love to make brownies, it’s the only way to taste them, in little town like mine I can’t found them …
    “Have a chocolate-covered day, everyday!” yeah, it’ll be my new motto! Have a great Saturday! Hugs – Cris

    Reply

    1. Kang Ju-won (강주원) – Thank you so much for the lovely note. I admit that the post was quite the spoof, but the brownies are delicious. I am quite healthy but must convince myself that indulgences are acceptable. 🙂 Take good care and happy new year! – Shanna

      Reply

  15. I love the way you think, Shanna! Coffee, chocolate, nuts, and wine–my favorites! Like others, I have my own favorite brownie recipe, but one can never have too many. I will definitely try this one soon (too many Christmas cookies in the house right now:). Happy New Year!

    Reply

    1. Merril, I can see that we would get along quite well. I look forward to trying your supreme family brownie recipe. It must be scrumptious: rich and chocolatey. I do appreciate your visit and sweet note. Happy new year to you and yours. Cheers! – Shanna

      Reply

  16. That was real fun, Shanna! I couldn’t agree more! Anything for the sake of health and long lasting lives 😉 And if, on top of that, that involves chocolate, wine, nuts, berries, coffee… I don’t know if our live will be longer but they’ll surely be happier, so that is.
    I love your recipe, and I’m sure I’ll try soon.
    Besos

    Reply

    1. Rosa… Haha, your fabulous note brought a smile to my face. We seem to have quite similar taste in foods… Except you are a three Michelin star pastry chef! I am in complete awe of your beautiful, tasty creations. Thank you for your visit and kind words; Happy New Year! – Shanna

      Reply

      1. Oh, Shanna, it’s always oh-so-great to read your responses… You are such an amazing commenter (did I make that up again? It’s been a while since I last used my rusty English…).
        So proud you have such warm feelings towards my work… I really try, but only an aficionado 😉 I truly enjoy your posts from the other shore.
        Happy new year to you too!

  17. Shanna, you’ve got to be kidding me!! This is a perfect anti-aging recipe! 🙂 I promise you, I will make this. I, too, want to stay young, so I think I’ll adopt your new year’s resolution and have a chocolatey day every day, lol… Best, easiest resolution to keep, brilliant! XOXO, Angie.

    Reply

    1. Oh, btw, hubby thought the cologne was a little strong for him, but is keeping it. It’s Tiffany for men – sport. When he sprayed it on last night, the bathroom was a bit “thick” I thought I’d made a mistake, but then later on it was very nice snuggling next to him at the movies.

      Reply

      1. Oh, gosh. I hope that he realizes that he smells fabulous enough to snuggle with, Angie. Hubbies can be hesitant to change… But it sounds like the scent melded well with his natural oils. Well-done. Best regards, Shanna

    2. Hi, Angie… Thank you so much for your sweet words and for stopping by. Yes: stay young and eat brownies. It is the secret to longevity. 😉 I am eating chocolate now; please join me. My very best to you and your family for a wonderful New Year. Warm regards, Shanna

      Reply

      2. Oh, enjoy your time with the Mr. and his lovely family. Keep me apprised of your return so we may collaborate. A very happy new year to you and yours- and looking forward to catching up soon. Best wishes, Shanna xx – and x

  20. I’m thrilled that those three made the list too! And, your new year’s resolution sounds just perfect. It’s so nice to get together with old friends. I’m always saddened when I get the call that a close friend is relocating.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe. Sounds just perfect for when a chocolate craving hits!

    Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!
    Allison

    Reply

    1. Thank you kindly for your visit. I am glad you are here! Yes, it is sad when a friend moves… but a good reason for chocolate pastry, no? 🙂 I have been checking out your archives and enjoying reading. We are trying a recipe tonight, as a matter of fact. Have a lovely New Year! Best wishes, Shanna

      Reply

  23. Ohyesohyes! If a little chocolate is good for me, a lot must certainly be better. I am going to work toward immortality as assiduously as I can. These brownies will definitely help! 😀
    xo
    K

    Reply

    1. Oh, Kathryn – I cannot decide which I love more: your warm, generous and genuine notes – or your amazing diction! You are a talented writer. Thank you for your support and kindness. All my best to you. – Shanna

      Reply

  25. Oh, Shanna. You’ve set many a chocoholic’s heart a-flutter with this post. And not to discount the veracity of the scientific findings you recounted but I feel more research is needed. I suggest that we treat these brownies as one of the major food groups in our diets and see just how long we live. Whether our research proves their findings, we’ll depart with chocolate-y smiles on our faces. 🙂
    Wishing you and your wonderful family a most joyous and prosperous New Year!

    Reply

    1. Thank you very much, John! 🙂 Like you, I try to be health-minded and moderate. However, I have every intention of dying five heavier than “ideal” and with a smile on my face…. 😉 At a very late age, thanks to the chocolate, of course. We wish you and yours nothing but good things for the New Year. I do appreciate your continued, festive visits and support. Warm regards, Shanna

      Reply

  26. Wowie! These look absolutely delicious, Shanna! I am imagining the wonderfully delicious aroma in your home as the batch of brownies bake…I’m sure your children could hardly wait for the brownies to cool so that they could have a taste.
    Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family, Shanna!

    Reply

    1. Well, many thanks to you, Linda. These are quite tasty – I cannot dispute it. You have quite a few lovely, chocolate recipes on the scrumptious Simply Made Kitchen and Crafts blog. As always, I appreciate your support, kindness and friendship. A very happy New Year to you and yours: filled with peace, health and your “good cookin’.”
      Warm regards,
      Shanna

      Reply

  27. Time to make a batch of these! Thank you, Shanna. Love that you are always working a chocolate dish in your house. Have you tried macarons yet? I can’t remember if you have.

    Reply

    1. Janet,
      I think a GF version of these would be great, as the recipe would only require 1/4 cup of your preferred GF flour blend, like Bob’s Red Mill. Happy New Year to you! Thank you for your visit.
      Best,
      Shanna
      PS I am still terrified of making macarons, though I ADORE them. Sissy Shanna!

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Lidia. Ooey, gooey, melted dark chocolate – then more chocolate – and lotssss of nuts. MMMM. I appreciate your cute note and shared enthusiasm for all things cocoa. We shall live long. 😉 Best wishes, Shanna

      Reply

  29. Just looking at these beauties makes me feel about 5 years younger. I will be trying this recipe as soon as I can think of an excuse. And as soon as I have red wine with which to pair them. 😉

    Reply

    1. You don’t need an excuse to make fudgy foggies, Kaela. Other than the fact that you are alive and chocolate is oh, so yummers. As for the fact that you have no wine in the house.. Curls and Carrots does not condone this crime in any way, shape or form. 😉 Thank you so much for your lovely notes and visits – I am so glad you are here. Warm wishes – Shanna

      Reply

  30. 10 ounces of chocolate! This brownie is basically blocks of soft, fudgy chocolate! I will consider trying this recipe out, but may reduce the chocolate contents if you don’t mind (it just looks so good): after all, I am nutrition compulsive (haha!). I think using dates as substitutes by weight will work 🙂
    -Izzy

    Reply

    1. Hi, Izzy. This recipe is simply decadent. I would be very careful changing the ingredients – or it may not work as well. For a healthy brownie, I would check out the black bean brownies on this blog. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a great note. Best, Shanna

      Reply

  31. Also, Shanna, regarding food for fighting aging, have you tried a Japanese diet? More specifically Okinawan diet. (But this depends on what your definition of fighting aging is: appearance-wise or life-expectancy?). 10% of the world’s population of people of 100 years old live in Okinawa, Japan. But their secret to a longlife seems to be their plant-based diet. I myself haven’t tried Okinawan style food, (except for ‘okinawan donuts’ which are pretty not tasty haha) but am going to an Okinawan restaurant soon, and will blog about it for sure! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_diet Here are some infos. Sorry, I’ve only found one internet source, because I only learned about the okinawan way of eating from words of mouth 🙂 If you like Japanese food, you may be interested in trying the okinawan style foods out (you do like tofu though right?)
    -Izzy

    Reply

  34. I made these while my computer was sick. I subbed Sheridan’s coffee liqueur for the strong coffee. They are a huge hit—Hubby, who doesn’t like brownies and isn’t a huge fan of chocolate, was eating them straight out of the pan! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Kaela, I am so glad that you tried them. Truly, I am quite honored; thank you. Also, I appreciate the feedback. We are making the chocolate-filled squares (again) today for company… I shall try some coffee liqueur this time. That is an insanely brilliant substitution. I never argue with making anything sweet a little boozy. I see that we have chocolate in common – and more. 😉 Enjoy your weekend… It’s around the corner. – Shanna

      Reply

  35. Not as thrilled as I am to hear that chocolate and wine will keep me youthful!! These look so delicious- why do you do this to us?!?! Love the idea of roasted pecans. Yum. Yum. YUM.

    Reply

      1. I’m glad you all enjoyed the Hawaiian chocolates. He he he…did you know that we did the same thing? Your card is up on our fridge. 🙂 Thank you, Shanna!

  38. I must say I am totally happy that you stopped by KCinAZ cause I now enjoyed checking out several of your recipes which have now been pinned to my Pinterest. The first was your Raju recipe and now the brownies.

    Reply

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