Black and Tan Brownies
It’s Secret Recipe Club time again. This group has been so much fun because it’s so low pressure and I get to meet new bloggers and try new recipes. My matchup this month is Itzy’s Kitchen.
Back when we were dating, Hubby would order a Black and Tan on a regular basis. He was the first person I had ever seen order one. I’m not a huge fan of the original black and tan (made with Bass and Guinness), but I do enjoy some of the variations, especially mixing Blue Moon and Guinness Some places call this a Black Moon or a Black and Blue. Although be careful when you order a Black and Blue. Some places will mix blueberry beer with Guinness. Weird!
When I saw the pictures on Itzy’s Kitchen the bars looked a little thin and I definitely enjoy thicker blondies/brownies. I decided to make the entire recipe but use a smaller pan. I definitely got a thicker bar, but the ratio of batter wasn’t 50:50 like I was expecting. I double checked the ingredients and I definitely put everything in, so it’s a mystery why the tan layer was so thin.
Even with the thin tan layer, these were delicious. The Guinness keeps the black layer very moist and the nuts in the tan layer provide a nice crunch.
Black and Tan Brownies
One of Hubby's favorite drinks in a brownie!
Yield: 24 brownies
Ingredients:
For the Tan Brownies
6 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the Black Brownies
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
4 Tbsp butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup Guinness Stout
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
Directions:
For the Tan Brownies
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x9 or 8x8 pan.
Cream the butter and brown sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix flour mixture and pecans into sugar mixture, beating until just combined.
Spread evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
For the Black Brownies
Melt chocolate and butter in large microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute. Stir after every 20 seconds until smooth.
Add sugar, stirring until well combined. Add the eggs, vanilla, and Guinness.
In a small bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture, stirring to combine.
Pour evenly over Tan Brownies.
Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack; cut into squares.
Recipe from Cooking Light as seen on Itzy's Kitchen
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I too didn’t have a pan big enough for a water bath. I just cooked it for 1 hour and 30 minutes and then let it cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. I didn’t even cool it in the oven. I haven’t tasted it yet, so I don’t know if it turned out ok…but it looks just like my other that I made.
Hey if it tastes good who cares what it looks like?!
Regardless of how it looks, it’s the taste that matters! My cheesecakes look similar when I don’t do a water bath. Another idea with cheesecake is to make cheesecake truffles with leftovers (that is, if you even have any!) 🙂
If you get an answer to your cake running over problem would you mind sharing it? I had the same problem, despite the fact my pan met Dorie’s requirements. I’m also curious where I went wrong.
I’ve had similar problems, especially with the cracking, which I believe is from cooking too long. Once I started taking cheese cakes out based on time and not appearance the problem went away. I think a lot of cooking still takes place from the internal heat…just a theory…BTW, great marble effect on your cake!
Aawwww poor little cheesecake. To be honest I am not sure why your cheesecake fell but I know when I make cheesecake mine always bakes more evenly when I use a water bath also if the internal temperature reaches 160F (don’t quote me) it starts to make the cheesecake crack. Maybe next time don’t bake it as long? Either way taste is the most important IMO. 🙂
Clara @ iheartfood4thought