I offered to make a dessert for tomorrow, as we are having a surprise birthday celebration for two members of my lab group. I needed something easy to transport (i.e., not a cake) as I have a 2+ mile walk in the morning, and decided to try out a brownie recipe I saved a while ago. These are, without a doubt, the best brownies I have ever tasted. Let me start by saying that I don't particularly like chocolate, so I can usually pass up brownies without a problem. These, however, are a different story. If I didn't have to bring them in tomorrow, I probably would have eaten the entire batch today (so much for that diet...)

Lulu Brownies

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 13x9x2 inch metal baking pan.

Stir 8 ounces of chopped chocolate, butter, and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until melted and smooth. Cool to lukewarm, about 15 minutes.
Whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended, about 1 minute. Whisk in chocolate mixture. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in chocolate chips. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake brownies until puffed and dry-looking on top, about 30 minutes.
A toothpick entered in the center should come out with a moist crumb.

Enjoy!