I love brownie recipes & bars! They mix up so easily -- many times with just a few steps & then, the delicious goodness all bakes in one pan. How efficient!
And they taste so good :)
A few baking basics:
1. Butter: Everything tastes better with butter; it's just the truth. For baking sweet treats, it yields the tastiest results. Use unsalted when you can get it, as it allows for you to control the salt factor better. If you prefer a low-fat margarine, be sure to choose one with no less than 60% vegetable oil. Products labeled "spread" or "diet" contain less fat and more water, and may not produce the best results.
2. Melting: Be sure to use a heavy saucepan and melt chips and/or butter over the lowest possible heat to do the job. Slow, gentle heat.
3. Your oven: Every oven can vary by 25 degrees, so it's important when making brownies, bars and cookies the first time to pay close attention to the temperature. Check frequently for doneness and use a test stick. You may also want to use an internal oven thermometer if you find a great variance in your ovens temperature. Preheating your oven is recommended for all baking.
