Brownie with Fudge Topping and Ice Cream

This brownie recipe is an adaptation of Emeril’s brownies with fudge topping.  His recipe calls for Buttermilk in the fudge topping, although, most people I know don’t have buttermilk in stock.  You can always use regular milk with vinegar substitute for the “buttermilk”, but I usually have condensed milk in stock.  Plus, I feel it adds an additional layer of richness that I love.  Alternately, you may also use about 3 ounces of evaporated milk instead of the condensed milk plus regular milk.

These are rich, so you may want to cut them into small pieces.

1 ½   sticks unsalted butter -- (plus more for greasing pan if necessary)
2 ½   ounces unsweetened baking chocolate -- 100% cocoa preferred
1 ½   cups granulated sugar
3       eggs
2       teaspoons vanilla extract
¾      cup  all-purpose flour

Fudge Topping
1        stick  butter
¼       cup  unsweetened cocoa powder -- sifted
3      Tablespoons condensed milk
2        Tablespoons skim milk
1      teaspoon vanilla paste
2     cups cups confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 350 and grease & flour (if necessary) 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment or Silpat.  Try to have sides coming up so you can easily lift the brownies from the pan.

In a heavy sauce pan, in very low heat -- melt butter and chocolate. Stir with whisk.   Once melted & smooth remove pan from heat, and set in a heat proof counter top.

Add the granulated sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well with whisk until incorporated and almost smooth.

Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk until smooth.  Add vanilla, then incorporate the flour with a rubber spatula.

Pour mixture into prepared pan, bake for 20-30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

In the meantime, make fudge topping:

Heat butter and cocoa under very low heat. Whisk to smooth.  Remove from heat, add condensed milk.  Whisk in confectioner's sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with a tablespoon of milk, whisk until smooth.

Once the brownie is out of the oven: Poke holes into brownies with a fork.  Pour fudge over brownies, place in Fridge for about an hour or more or place in freezer for about 30 min’s to quickly set it.

Lift brownies from pan, cut as desired and serve with Ice Cream.