Late last week, I found myself in one of those dark places.  You know the kind, a dark place where despair and overwhelming sadness rule.  One of those places, where you just say, “Shucks (because this is a family show).”

Indeed, it was one of those days, where you feel like Rocky Balboa after a bought with Apollo Creed or Clubber Lang or Ivan Drago or Tommy Gunn, take your pick (sorry, my “Rocky” knowledge maxes out at “Rocky V”).  You feel like you’ve been knocked around.  You’re nearly down for the count.

Well, the good news is that you don’t need to throw in the towel (final “Rocky” reference, I promise).  All dark clouds pass.  All moments of darkness eventually give way to dawn.  The light will win, just cling to whatever you have left and eventually it will shine through.

These brownies recognize that dark place, while providing a spirit of hope.  Hope of a brighter tomorrow.  Just like all of us have an inner light, these brownies hold a deeper spark, a lime punch that fights through the dark chocolate and shows its promise in the lime zest scattered on top.

So next time you’re in the dumps, look to lime flavored brownies, because at times we all travel through some dark place.  Dark places filled with despair and overwhelming sadness.  Just remember your inner light and it will carry you through to a new day, I promise.

DARK PLACE LIME BROWNIES

“This is a rich fudge-like brownie with a powerful lime taste.  Satisfying your chocolate desires, while providing a rich lime undercurrent, these brownies are both classic and innovative.  All brownie.  All good.”

½ cup and 2 Tablespoons Butter

4 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1 cup Sugar

¾ cup Flour

¼ cup Cocoa Powder

2 Eggs

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

¼ teaspoon Sea Salt

2 Tablespoons Lime Juice

2 teaspoons Lime Zest

2 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped

¾ teaspoon Sea Salt

1 teaspoon Lime Zest

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cover the bottom and two sides of an 8”x8” baking pan with parchment paper.

By going up the two sides of the pan, you will be able to lift out the brownies with the parchment paper.

Using a microwave, melt together the butter and 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate.  Check every 30 seconds.

Mix in sugar, flour, cocoa powder, eggs, vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt.

Mix in the lime juice, 2 teaspoons lime zest, and 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate.

Pour batter into parchment paper lined pan.

Sprinkle with ¾ teaspoon sea salt.

Bake for 35 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

Allow the brownies to cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Use a spatula to loosen the sides of the brownie from the pan and lift out with the parchment paper.

Allow brownies to cool completely on a wire rack.

Once cool, remove parchment paper and cut into smaller brownies.

Sprinkle the top with remaining 1 teaspoon lime zest.

 

Makes about 25 brownies.

 

Revised Source:  “Extra-Dark Brownies with Sea Salt & Lime” on www.thekitchn.com.