My Chocolate Season 2023: Orange Olive Oil Brownies

Welcome to this year's treasure trove of chocolate recipes. For the next 13 weeks I'll share delicious treats from multiple sources, with links and/or full recipes provided.

If you've followed my 'Chocolate Season' before, you'll remember each post includes photos that depict ingredients and steps for each individual dessert. In addition, you'll find 'V.O.E.s' or Voice of Experience notes - in other words, tips/thoughts from my own experience when making a recipe. 

If we're connected on social media, you may also know I'm having a great time writing about passionate chocolate makers for The Chocolate Professor, an ongoing project that began late last year. 

Here is our first recipe for 2023. Many years ago one of my coworkers at The Tasteful Olive created a recipe for Orange Olive Oil Brownies. Although it has long been a customer favorite, this is the first time I've gotten around to making the recipe.

Ultra-dark chocolate merges with the store's (blood) orange olive oil, creating a delicious, complex flavor profile. Check out the recipe link, and then follow along for my notes and photos.

Equipment list:
-9 x 13 pan
​-measuring cup
-spatula
-two mixing bowls (mine are stainless steel)
-double boiler (I used a small stainless steel bowl nesting in a large saucepan)
-sifter to blend dry ingredients (I substituted a large whisk)
-measuring/mixing spoons
-food processor/blender to crush the walnuts ​

I chose Ghirardelli bean-to-bar premium baking 100% cacao as my unsweetened chocolate variety. It melted easily with Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Despite my sweet tooth - especially for chocolate - I don't like super sweet treats. So I reduced the sugar in this recipe by 1/4 cup. (V.O.E. - The result was slightly 'ooey-gooey.' For a more solid brownie, reduce the butter too, by 1-2 tablespoons.) 

Ready for the oven.

​Finally, I grated orange peel atop the finished and slightly cooled brownies, for visual interest and added flavor. The result was a new favorite recipe!

P.S. - These brownies also freeze and thaw beautifully.