Best Ancho Chile Chocolate Brownie Recipes

EASY MEXICAN BROWNIES

Steps:

• Whisk together brownie mix and spices. Transfer mixture to a 1-qt. glass jar. Top with chocolate chips. Cover and store in a cool dry place up to 3 months., To prepare brownies: Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk eggs, oil and water until blended. Gradually add chocolate chips and brownie mix, mixing well. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not overbake), 20-25 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

GRILLED BROWNIES

Steps:

• Set up a charcoal grill for indirect cooking at 350-400°F (180-200°C), adding a chunk of cherry wood to the coals for a gentle smoke.
• Line a rectangular steel or disposable aluminum baking pan, measuring approximately 13 x 9 inches (33 x 23 cm), with parchment paper.
• Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, adding them in the order they appear in the ingredients list and folding in each time you add a new ingredient.
• Pour the brownie mixture into the lined baking pan. Pop in the barbecue for around 25 minutes, until the mixture is just set. You don't want the brownies to be too overcooked, as the centers should be a bit soft and fudgy.

CHILE BROWNIES

Steps:

• 1. Position the rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan; set it aside.
• 2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, chile powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
• 3. Place the butter and both kinds of chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water. If you don't have a double boiler, place the butter and both kinds of chocolate in a heat-safe bowl that fits snugly over a small pot of simmering water. Stir constantly until half the butter and chocolate is melted. Remove the top of the double boiler or the bowl from the pot; then continue stirring, away from the heat, until the butter and chocolate are completely melted. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• 4. Beat the sugar into the melted chocolate mixture with a whisk or with an electric mixer at medium speed; continue beating until smooth and silky, about 5 minutes by hand or 2 minutes with a mixer. Beat in the eggs until well incorporated.
• 5. With a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated. Do not beat. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it gently to the corners.
• 6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes.
• 7. Cut the brownies into 24 pieces while they're still in the pan. Carefully remove them with an offset spatula. Serve immediately, or let cool completely before covering with plastic wrap for storage at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The brownies can be tightly wrapped in wax paper, sealed in a freezer-safe bag, and frozen for up to 2 months; allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.
• To vary this recipe
• Add one or more of the following spices with the chile powder: 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon/2 teaspoons ground ginger/1 teaspoon grated nutmeg/1 teaspoon ground cloves
• And/or Stir in 1 1/4 cups of any of the following mix-ins, or 1 1/4 cups any combination of the following mix-ins, with the flour mixture: chocolate-covered espresso beans/chopped banana chips/chopped candied chestnuts/chopped candied orange peel/chopped dried figs/chopped dried papaya/chopped dried prunes/chopped pecans/chopped toasted chickpeas/chopped toasted hazelnuts/chopped unsalted roasted peanuts/crumbled biscotti/dried cherries/Goobers/raisins/toasted pepitás

ANCHO BROWNIE SUNDAE

Steps:

• Make the brownies: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 10-inch ovenproof skillet; set aside. Combine the butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the brown sugar and granulated sugar until incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Whisk in the flour, chile powder, cinnamon, salt, orange zest and cloves until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, make the chocolate sauce: Combine the heavy cream, butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook, whisking, until melted and barely simmering, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in the chocolate, cocoa powder, espresso powder and cayenne until smooth and slightly thickened. Let cool slightly.
• Cut the brownies into wedges. Top with ice cream and the chocolate sauce.

ANCHO CHILI BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Lightly grease a 8 x 8 pan.
• Using a spoon, stir eggs with 3/4-cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla; add melted butter.
• Sift ground chocolate with flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Stir into egg mixture; add nuts.
• Stir in chips. Spread into greased pan.
• Bake 20 to 30 minutes.
• For chewy brownies, use 8" pan and shorter baking time.
• For cake-like brownies, use 9" pan and longer baking time.
• Cut into squares.

AARON SANCHEZ'S MEXICAN BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Press the paper into the corners of the pan and lightly grease the paper with butter.
• Melt the 2 sticks of butter in a nonstick saucepan over medium-low heat; do not boil. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Add the sugar, eggs and vanilla to the saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
• Add the cocoa, flour, cinnamon, chili powder, salt and baking powder and mix until smooth. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out fudgy, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack, then use the parchment paper to lift out the brownies before slicing.