The Secret Ingredient Your Walnut Brownies Need: Black Dog Scotch Whisky
Dense, soft, and fudgy brownies have been trending for a while now and it is a go-to option for many of us, especially post-lunch or dinner. How about upgrading the plain old brownies and giving them a boozy upgrade? Brownie points if you love whisky, especially a blended scotch like our beloved Black Dog Scotch Whisky. No, we are not talking about your soaking your baked brownies in the whisky; the liquor becomes one of the ingredients that goes into the brownie batter.
The Perfect Dessert
Black Dog Whisky is a rich and aged blended Scotch whisky with an aroma of matured wood, and flavours of toasted malt, honey sweetness, butterscotch, and subtle floral notes. Its robust body, and pronounced malt, oak, and sherry notes provide a warm, luxurious mouthfeel which is why it is the perfect liquor to use in brownies. If adding them to the batter isn't enough then we have an extra something to sweeten and crank up the booze. These walnut brownies have a layer of chocolate ganache, yes, infused with Black Dog Whisky.
As for the other ingredients the co-star – walnuts have been that extra agent that makes brownies even more luxurious if the fudginess of it wasn't enough. The walnuts are toasted and will be crunchy and make for a delightful mouthful when you bite into one. Added to the mix, is chocolate which blends well with the liquor and makes for delicious brownies. If you have wanted to try whisky-infused brownies for a while now, this is your cue to bake a batch and share it with loved ones.
Boozy Walnut Brownies Recipe
This recipe comes together using basic pantry staples like flour, eggs and sugar. So, if you have a well-stocked one, this recipe won't need you to go grocery hunting. You can make minor changes like substituting chocolate chips with a chocolate bar of the same weight.
(Yields 16 brownies)
Ingredients
315 gm dark chocolate chips
130 gm granulated sugar
75 gm butter, cut into pieces
30 ml Black Dog Whisky
2 large eggs
90 gm all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
100 gm chopped walnuts
For the Whisky Ganache:
120ml heavy whipping cream
100 gm chocolate chips
15 ml whisky
Instructions
Before getting started with the batter, preheat the oven to 165°C.
You will need an 8x8-inch baking tray for this recipe. Line it with parchment paper, with enough overhanging from the sides and arrange the walnuts neatly on the tray. Pop it in the oven as it heats. Keep it inside for a maximum of 5 minutes, keep checking so the walnuts don't burn and are just lightly toasted (aroma check).
Take a saucepan, add the chocolate chips, butter, and sugar, and stir over low heat until the butter, sugar, and chocolate chips are melted. Add the whisky after removing it from the heat.
Grab a large mixing bowl, add the flour and salt, and mix. Then add the chocolate-sugar-butter-whisky mix to the flour, using a spatula or spoon, and mix. Clean and keep the pan aside for the topping. Crack the eggs and add them one at a time, mix well then add the walnuts then mix well again.
Pour the batter into the baking tray, where the walnuts were toasted. Bake for 40 minutes until a skewer or toothpick insert comes out clean. If you want a more dense and moist texture, then underbake them for 4-5 minutes. The toothpick will have wet crumbs attached in underbaked cases.
In the same saucepan, add the chocolate chips, whisky, and whipping cream over low heat. Stir until the chocolate chips melt and pour over the brownies.
Slice and serve them hot.
Pairing Suggestions
These whiskey-infused walnut brownies are perfect for savouring alongside a dram of Black Dog Scotch Whisky. The whiskey's rich and refined character complements the richness of the brownies. You could also serve the brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream which will provide a refreshing contrast to the robust whisky-infused flavors. If you prefer a warm beverage pairing, a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a smooth espresso would complement the smoky whisky notes beautifully.
