Sunday, March 11, 2012

Black and Tan Brownies



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Margaret Johnson is the author of five books on Irish cooking, all of which can be found here. One of the many recipes she's developed is a brownie, called the Black and Tan. It's named after the British auxiliary forces that were sent to Ireland to suppress rebels after the 1916 Easter Rising. The reviled Black and Tan subdued the rebellion but in doing so, they fueled the spirit of the Irish Republican movement and the quest for Irish independence. Folk singers set the deeds of the British soldiers to music and eventually Irish pubs began to serve a drink, called the Black and Tan, which was made half with Harp Lager and half with Guinness Stout. Margaret Johnson loosely patterned her brownies after the famous draught. I had open a bottle of stout for another recipe and still had some remaining. Rather than let it go to waste, I decided to give this recipe a try. While most brownies are simple to make, these rich two-toned treats are a bit more involved. The end result is a moist dense confection that many will like. I hope you will try these and let me know what you think. There is nothing here not to like, the real question is will you like them enough to make them again. Here's the recipe.

Black and Tan Brownies...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite first published by Margaret M. Johnson in The Irish Spirit

Ingredients:
Tan layer
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans
Black layer
3 ounces (3 squares) unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:
1) Place one rack in lower third of oven. Place another rack in center. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2) To prepare tan layer: Combine butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. With a wooden spoon, stir in flour, baking powder, salt and pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake in lower third of oven 20 minutes. Remove from oven.
3) To make black layer: Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on low 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in sugar until well combined. Add eggs, vanilla and Guinness, stirring until well combined. Add flour and salt, whisking well to combine. Slowly pour mixture over partially baked tan layer.
4) Bake on center rack of oven for 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out almost clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pan on a wire rack before cutting into small squares. Yield: 16 to 32 brownies (depending on size).







One Year Ago Today: Double Chocolate Mint Brownies














Two Years Ago Today: Florentine Schiacciata - Carnival Cake

34 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

These look good, but also look upside down! Your Carnival Cake below looks good, but when I click on it, I get the brownies.

Angie's Recipes said...

Love the idea of two layers and the addition of stout...sounds and looks really amazing!

Chiara said...

great idea for breakfast ! Mary please sign up again to my new blog with GOOGLEFRIENDCONNECT, I've lost all my contacts from the old blog...Thank you !have a good day, blessings....

MissB said...

Omg!!! Love brownies so much!!! *.*

Alessandra said...

What a story Mary, I didn't know it, and never seen a half lager half guinnes drink. And the brownies look yummy too!

Have a good Sunday

Ciao
Alessandra

A Paixão da Isa said...

humm super ja comia um eles estao super bons adorei beijinhos e bom domingo

Claire said...

I love your blog's mantra`a quest for (that) one perfect bite'. I cant wait to try this Black & Tan Brownies recipe! These brownies look precious and with that I must stick with the ingredients. Wish me luck!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Mary. these sound delicious. I think my bookmarks are filling up with your recipes :)

Becki's Whole Life said...

Yum! I have seen a few stout cake and brownie recipes and this sounds interesting, too.

Diane said...

My mouth is watering..... Diane

Gloria Baker said...

Mary what nice and delicious brownies, love brownies!!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I think I would like them enough to make them again Mary.

Shug said...

These look good enough for me to take to a church function tonight! I think I had better get busy....
blessings,
shug

Unknown said...

Good call not letting that stout go to waste! These brownies are gorgeous!

Hayley said...

mothwatering brownies :-)

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Mary,
These look so good and sound very interesting. I know someone that would love these! I'll be making a batch and sending them to the Bronx-my nephew at Fordham.
xo
annie

Ailyn said...

Love this brownies...the photo and the combination of flavors, thank you!

tender b. said...

Nice...I have some guiness that needs used and this seems like the perfect ending for it.

Jeannie said...

Stout in brownies! how cool is that? the boys will go for it:D I love the double chocolate mint recipe more:D

Joanne said...

It's almost like I KNEW you were going to post these because I have guinness sitting on my counter right now! Love the double layers.

Cooking Creation said...

Oh, my! These look divine!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

I always enjoy stopping by, Mary. I come away with a wonderful recipe but also some new knowledge. Thank you!

teresa said...

oh my goodness, i love these brownies, they look delicious and perfect for the holiday :)

Nina said...

These look soooo good. Great idea too:)

Valerie Gamine said...

Mary, these brownies look irresistible!

The Harried Cook said...

These look really great! I love the upside-down layers... I love the sound of the flavors! thanks for sharing :)

Kim said...

I love the drink... Love these brownies too!

Unknown said...

Oooohh.. these look amazing, Mary! I made Guinness cookies this weekend, but these blow those away!!!

Claudia said...

I did not know the history behind the black and tan drink (which we loving drink once in a while). Love taking that idea and transforming it into a sweet. Saving (as usual) for the lovely Irish day.

Jennifer Kendall said...

these sound delicious! i just adore brownies!

France@beyondthepeel said...

There's something about Guiness or stout that pairs so perfectly with chocolate. I bookmarked these fo rthe next time I have some guiness hanging around.

tinyskillet said...

This sounds like a perfect brownie, yum so good!

Life's a shoe said...

oh wow my mouth is watering already at the pictures! they look so good!

Eileen said...

Oh, My. I usually ignore St. Patrick's Day guiness-based recipes, because I don't stock it in the house & just don't want to shop for another rare ingredient. But I spent 3 months in Ireland, and a Black & Tan was my favorite pub drink. It brings back so many fond memories, I might break my rule & make these!

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