Brownie Hearts

Ever since the summer before my senior year in college, I was participating in Yelp! and writing reviews constantly. Ever since I made it to the elite club, I've met some amazing people so interested in food and everything related to food. One of those people is James. He decided to start a website dedicated to food called FoodSocialist. I'll be posting items up there that I make here too. The ones there will probably have the super nice pictures that he takes.

Anyways, I made these hearts because it's close to Valentines day and everyone gets into the lovey dovey spirit. The hearts, the red and pink, and LOOOOOOVE.

I figured that for my first post, I won't post something TOO complicated on there. Since I don't know what kind of people will be reading, I wanted to make sure it was easy enough for a first time baker. In addition, there will be posts about food in SF and the Bay Area, and hopefully someday all over the place. 

Recipe (from Joy of Baking):
5 ounces (about 3/4 cup and 1 Tablespoon) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place the rack in the center of the oven. Butter (or spray with a nonstick cooking spray) an 8 inch (20 cm) square pan, and line the bottom of the pan with parchment or wax paper.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a large stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and stir in the cocoa powder and sugar . Next, whisk in the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Finally, stir in the flour and salt.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a little batter and a few moist clumps clinging to it. Do not over bake. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Use a cookie cutter and cut out hearts. You’ll have the corners to eat yourself! It’s a delicious recipe.