My daughter, Chuls has taken quite a shine to Aarón Sanchez. She rooted for him on The Next Iron Chef and laughs at his antics on Chef versus City. He became even cooler when she found out he was Zarela Martínez’s son.
When she spotted these brownies I knew mommy was in for a treat.
Did it phase her that these brownies had chili powder, nah “that’s so Aarón mom, he loves flavor.”
Clearly I cannot take credit for these babies, but I can tell you they were tasty. I should know. I had two.
The complete recipe is prepared in one saucepan. Little clean up is always a plus. Dust with a mix of powdered sugar and cocoa and settle in for a rich evening. Enjoy!
Don’t be turned off by the addition of chili in these brownies. As you can see the recipe calls for only 1/4 tsp. The chili gives the chocolate a nice boost and lends a small smoky backdrop. I suggest the pequín powder.
Mexican Brownies
2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup good quality unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground Mexican cinnamon (canela)
1/4 teaspoon pequín chili powder or cayenne pepper
1/2 kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Press the paper into the corners of the pan and lightly grease the paper with butter.
2. Melt the 2 sticks of butter in a nonstick saucepan over medium-low heat; do not boil. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla to the saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
3. Add the cocoa, flour, cinnamon, chili powder, salt and baking powder and mix until smooth. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out fudgy, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack, then use the parchment paper to lift out the brownies before slicing.
adapted from Chef Sanchez
Love Chuls? Check out her other recipes…
Tomato Basil and Balsamic Pasta
Chocolate Chip cookies with Chickpeas
Lia says
Very tempting and with the hint of chilli they must be very exquisite!!
Love,
Lia.
Magic of Spice says
I love spiced up chocolate and these look fantastic! In fact my favorite hot cocoa is a Mexican hot chocolate. I must say Chuls that you are quite a talented girl, not that I am surprised given who your mom is 🙂
Lucy@The Sweet Touch says
Love a new brownie recipe and I’ve been wanting to try it with chili powder for a long time now! YUM!
Emily @Cleanliness says
Yes.
Please.
I’ll take 32, please!
nora says
Yummy! I am going to have to try these! fantastic!
Joanne says
Like momma, like daughter! Seems like you’ve both got the baking thumb. These brownies look fabulous!
Roxana GreenGirl says
After all those margaritas these brownies are very welcomed.
They sound great, love that cayenne touch. Thanks for sharing Bonnie
Carolyn says
I LOVE chili with my chocolate…far from being put off, I think it’s an amazing flavour combo and these brownies look heavenly.
Monet says
I love the addition of the chili here…what a great twist to a family classic. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Thank you for sharing your heart and this fantastic recipe. I’m hungry now!
Spicie Foodie says
Hi Bonnie, Your daughter sounds so cute 🙂 The brownies sound and look like my kind of brownie. Thanks for sharing the recipe and educating me on (Mexican)American chefs.
Paz says
OMG! I’ve gotta make these brownies!!!!! I once made a chocolate cake with chili in it. I think it was called Mexican Chocolate Cake (I don’t remember now, and I don’t remember if I blogged about it or not. ) It was good!!! Anywho, I look forward to making the brownies. I think it’s great that Chuls has picked all these great recipes. I’m going to check out the other recipes. Thanks, Chuls! 😉
Mary says
These look and sound interesting. I’ll wager they are also delicious. This is my first visit to your site and I’ve really enjoyed browsing through your earlier entries. I’ll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Melissa says
Now, you’re talking SweetLife! I love a little spice! And, like your daughter, I find Aaron Sanchez inexplicably compelling.
Drick says
I have found the perfect brownie, thanks Chuls… very keen eye…
Kitchen Belleicious says
love adding spice with chocolate! so decadent and different than the usual. thesse brownies look insane! i want one now! love the pics and the new clean look of the blog
Blond Duck says
You should make a cookbook!
Jackie says
So original! I’ve never tried this brownie version before. Can’t wait!
yummychunklet says
I’m excited to try these brownies because of the cayenne pepper. Chocolatey and spicy!
Kocinera says
How cool! The Mexican chocolate twist on these brownies sounds super yummy. Great job Chuls! 😀
Jenn says
Awww…. I heart Chuls!!! I don’t watch much Aaron Sanchez but I did love him on the Chopped All-Stars tournament. Saw your facebook update fo the brownies and now I must totally make them. they look DIVINE!!! Will do so after a much-needed holiday 😉
xoxo
Maris (InGood Taste) says
If they were half as good as they look they must of been fantastic!
Parsley Sage says
Two whole brownies! You naughty girl! And I’m being sarcastic. I’d have inhaled all of these yummy treats on my own!
Mari's Cakes says
Looks like a great brownie recipe. I love the fact that it has chili included, I could taste it already, yummy! Recipe saved in my favorites already!
Juliana says
Oh! I never had chili in brownies…and would love to try it…they look fantastic.
Have a wonderful week 🙂
Heather @girlichef says
I love a hint of Chile Powder in my brownies…these look awesome. I’ve never tried making any Aarón Sanchez recipes. I need to change that!
Rosa says
Gorgeous brownies! I love the addition of cinnamon and chilli.
Cheers,
Rosa
Blond Duck says
These look delectable, as always!