Cocoa Brownies

 Ingredients

- 140g butter

- 200g sugar

- 80g dutch processed cocoa

- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt

- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

- 1 tbsp instant espresso

- 2 large eggs, cold

- 65g flour

- 65g walnut or pecan pieces (optional)

- flaky sea salt for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325F with rack lower 1/3. Line 8-inch square baking pan with parchment, with 1 inch overhang on 2 sides for easier lifting

2. Combine butter sugar, cocoa powder and salt in metal bowl and heat over water bath until butter melted and mixture is gritty. Let cool until mixture is warm to touch

3. Stir in vanilla, beat in eggs one at a time. When batter is shiny, add flour and stir until no streaks remain. Then beat vigorously for an additional 40 strokes. Fold in nuts if using then scrape into pan and smooth the top.

4. Bake until toothpick comes out slightly moist with batter, 20-25 minutes

5.  Lift up brownies and cut into 16 pieces. Sprinkle with flaky salt.