Hot topic Issue #25

Pastry chef Mindy Segal reveals her gourmet bittersweet brownie recipe

By Venus Zine Staff
Published: September 1st, 2005 | 12:03pm

Continued from issue No. 25

Word is quickly spreading around Chicago that Mindy Segal’s new restaurant, Hot Chocolate, is the place to go for a dessert fix. Located in the artsy Bucktown neighborhood, this trendy yet simple eatery has been packed since its spring opening. Segal agreed to share her bittersweet brownies recipe with Venus — and we’ve been lounging in sweatpants, smiling contentedly, and licking our chocolate-stained fingers ever since.

Ingredients
9-inch square baking pan
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
6 ounces butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Melt chocolate and butter over double boiler.
3. Mix to combine sugars in a mixer with a paddle attachment.
4. Add chocolate and butter mixture, not to sugars.
5. Add eggs one at a time; scrape down bowl.
6. Sift all dry ingredients and add to batter; mix to combine.
7. Spray baking pan with vegetable oil-based spray; line with parchment paper and spray again.
8. Pour batter and spread evenly in pan. Bake 30 to 40 minutes.

recipe by Mindy Segal
photos by Dane Tashima