Chocolate Orange Brownies

There are tons of brownie recipes floating around the internet and, let's face it, when you put chocolate, butter, sugar and chocolate chips together, chances are the end result is going to be pretty darn delicious. But..wait..it can get better! Add in a shot of Grand Marnier and some orange zest and now you've got something special.
I came upon this recipe, not even looking for brownies, but it sounded so good, I just had to give it a try. If you love the combination of chocolate and orange, you really have to make these.
I love the use of the bittersweet chocolate and just brown sugar in these and, of course, the Grand Marnier helps heighten the whole orange flavor giving you a rich, chocolatey brownie that when baked just right is more fudgey than cakey and just so darn good!

Melt the butter and bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water.
Stir the mixture til smooth.
Then add in the brown sugar and stir til that's dissolved.


Remove the bowl from the heat and add in the vanilla...

And the Grand Marnier.

Then add in the grated orange zest.

In a small bowl, sift the flour, cocoa and salt and set aside a minute.

Now continue ( oops..this picture is kind of out of order!) by adding in the eggs, one at a time, whisking til completely blended.

Stir in the flour mixture til just blended.

Fold in the mini chocolate chips...

And pour the batter into your prepared 8" square pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or til tester comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Midnight Chocolate Brownie Bites ( adapted from The L.A. Times)
(I renamed them Chocolate Orange Brownies)
The original recipe says they make 25 brownies, and I'm guessing, because they call them brownie bites, this would be a tiny bite.

1 stick unsalted butter

1/2 lb. bittersweet chocolate ( I used bittersweet chips)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar ( I used light brown)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tbsp. Grand Marnier

1 1/2 tsp. orange zest

2 eggs

1/4 cup best quality cocoa powder

1/4 cup AP flour

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

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Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8" square pan with foil and lightly butter sides and bottom of foil.

1. Melt butter and bittersweet chocolate in medium metal bowl over barely simmering water til smooth, stirring occasionally.

2. Add in brown sugar, stirring to dissolve.

3. Remove bowl from heat and add in vanilla and Grand Marnier.

4. Add the orange zest.

5. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, til completely blended. Mix til shiny and smooth. The mixture will be thickened at this point.

6. Sift cocoa powder, flour and salt in a small bowl. Then stir into batter til just blended.

7. Fold in mini chips.

8. Pour into prepared pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or til puffed and almost set. Check by inserting a toothpick into center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging. Don't overbake.

Cool in pan approx. 30 minutes, then take out of pan to cool completely before cutting.