Special Guinness Brownies (A Saint Patrick's Day Treat) 🍀

 

The Guinness in these brownies elevates
them to gourmet status! They are great
for Saint Patrick's Day and any day. 🍀

Brownie Ingredients:

12 ounces Guinness stout or extra stout beer

butter for greasing pan

parchment paper

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 1/3 cups special dark chocolate chips

1 1/4 cups sugar

3 eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon Himalayan or fine sea salt

Frosting Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons reduced Guinness beer

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon Himalayan or fine sea salt

Method:

Add the Guinness to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until the liquid is reduced to about 2/3 cup. Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 350*. Use butter to grease the sides and bottom of a 9 inch suare pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Set aside.

Add the chocolate chips and 3/4 cup butter to a large microwave safe mixing bowl. Heat in microwave oven for 30 seconds. Stir with a silicone bowl scraper. Return to the microwave and heat for an additional 30 seconds. Repeat just until the mixture is smooth when stirred.  

Whisk in the sugar and 1/2 cup of the reduced Guinness until all is well mixed. Add the eggs and vanilla. Whisk in just until they are combined with the chocolate mixture. Sift the flour and salt into the bowl. Whisk to completely mix in.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and place the brownie pan on a wire rack to cool completely.

After the brownies are completely cooled and no longer warm, prepare the frosting. Add the butter to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until the butter is smooth and creamy. Mix in the powdered sugar at low speed, then increase the speed to completely mix in. Add the 2 tablespoons of the reduced Guinness, vanilla and salt. Mix in. Add up to 1 tablespoon more of the Guinness to create a smooth spreadable consistency. 

Spread evenly over the top of the cooled brownies. Place in the refigerator for 30 minutes before cutting into 16 portions. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or at room temperature, for one week. Makes 16 servings.

Note: These brownies are delicious! Everyone who tasted them was impressed. 🍀