Serve

I like to mix my vices. I love to cook (and eat). I, like many, enjoy an adult beverage with dinner or when out with friends. Why not combine these loves? These brownies are great, if you like a more caky than gooey brownie and the ganache covering is just decadent. the espresso vodka gives these just a hint of coffee without too much of an alcohol kick.

Ingredients

Brownie Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter 
• 3 ounces  semi-sweet chocolate - either chips or finely chopped
• 2 shots espresso vodka
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup mascarpone cheese - room temperature
• 3 large eggs - room temperature
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

Ganache Ingredients

• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate – either chips or finely chopped
• 6 Tbsp heavy cream
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 shot espresso vodka

Directions

Whole

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease an 8×8 baking pan. Add 3 large eggs to a medium bowl.

Beaten

Lightly beat eggs and set aside.

Melty

Melt butter for brownies over medium heat.

Chocolate and Butter, What could be Better?

Add chocolate.

Combined

Stirring constantly make sure that chocolate melts without burning.

Sugar and Cocoa

Remove from heat and stir in sugar and cocoa.

Cheese

Add in cheese and stir to incorporate. The residual heat should melt the cheese.

Vodka

Add vodka and stir to combine.

Eggs

Add eggs and stir to combine – You may need to temper the eggs depending on how hot your mixture still is. I only heated the mixture long enough to melt the chocolate. By the time I got to this stage I was in no danger of cooking the eggs.

Combined

Stir until completely combined.

Into the Hotbox

Pour into your greased 8×8 baking pan and add to your preheated oven.

Yummy and Cooked

Bake 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean.

Let cool on a rack for 10-15 minutes.

Melty Once Again

While your brownie base cools make your Ganache. Melt butter in a medium pot over medium low heat.

With the Cream

Add cream and heat through, just until butter is melted.

Chocolate and Vodka

Remove from heat and add chocolate and vodka while still hot.

Ready

Stir until chocolate is melted and ganache is smooth.

Cover

Pour ganache over brownie base.

Ready to Set

Once covered place into refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.

Slice

Once ganache sets cut brownies into squares or bars, whichever you prefer.

Serve

Serve and enjoy. This picture is of one of the naked brownies. My wife and I served with whipped topping. You can also serve with ice cream or a fruit topping.