Cakey Sour Cream Brownies

So are you a fudgy brownie person or a cakey brownie person? Because I fall into the former category, and these brownies fall into the latter. And to be honest, I am so on Team Fudgy that I considered not even mentioning them to you. But upon further mulling of the whole thing, I decided you really do need to know about this recipe. Because even though they are not my ultimate brownies, they are still very good and if you are on Team Cakey, well, they may end up being yours. And I can't in good conscience deny any cakey brownie-loving POC readers that pleasure. I'm here for you, people.

For the rest of us, I will not call these brownies, rather I will dub this recipe Rich Chocolate Snack Cake and share its many virtues. Not the least of which is a deep, satisfying chocolate flavor that isn't shrouded by a cloying sweetness. The chocolate flavor really does shine here.

Another bonus of this recipe is that it's easy, easy, easy. Which, really, all brownie recipes should be, but who doesn't love easy? All it takes is a little bit of flour, some melted some butter and chocolate, dark brown sugar, eggs and sour cream.

Back it up now, sister--what?

Oh, yes, I said sour cream. That's what drew me to this recipe in the first place. And it's the magical ingredient that keeps these cakey brownies from being dry and boring. The sour cream adds moisture and an edgy flavor element that keeps the chocolate from tasting flat. If ever there was a cakey brownie that might seduce the die-hard Fudgies, this would be it.

I should also mention something about this recipe that has become an obsession of sorts for me lately: the texture and flavor of these brownies actually improves the day after baking them. Even more moist, maybe even a little denser, more chocolatey. I flippin' love that. In fact, on the second day, I got to thinking about other things that could be done with this recipe because of their transformation after a rest on the counter.

Vanilla ice cream and hot fudge on top, well, yes, yes, of course, but I'm feeling like pouring this batter into two round cake pans and frosting it with a thin layer of Vanilla Bean Buttercream or more generous swirls of Seven-Minute Frosting might just make for the most orgasmic, do-ahead layer cake in the history of the universe. If anyone tries this and you can still speak or type, could you report back with your findings? Awesome, thanks.

Sour Cream Brownies (aka Rich Chocolate Snack Cake)

Adapted from Nick Malgieri's The Modern Baker

I've made several changes to this recipe--most notably, I left out the generous amount of walnuts that the original recipe calls for because I don't like my brownies walnutted (2 cups toasted and chopped; if you love nutty brownies, add them). I also added a bit of cocoa powder, which gives a much-needed punch of chocolate flavor, but really only works if you use a premium, rich, dark cocoa powder like Valrhona. Make these brownies a day before you want to serve them and wrap them well--the flavor and texture improve the next day.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons premium cocoa powder (I love Valrhona)

6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into pieces (chocolate chips work fine, I like Ghiradelli)

1 3/4 cup dark brown sugar

4 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Set an oven rack to the center position and preheat the to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, and spray with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, sift together the flour and cocoa powder and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Allow it to bubble for about 10 seconds, then remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate. Let it sit for a minute or two, and then whisk until smooth. Let cool for a minute while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and eggs until smooth. Whisk in the sour cream, salt and vanilla until well-blended. Stir in the chocolate and butter mixture, then fold in the flour and cocoa mixture just until it dissappears into the batter.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake the until the brownies just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 30 minutes.

Cool the brownies completely in the pan on a rack before cutting into squares.