Red Wine Chocolate Brownies with Toasted Walnuts
These Red Wine Chocolate Brownies with Toasted Walnuts are simply amazing; the wine adds a subtle but delicious difference!
How about a simple gift of wine and chocolate…but in this case some homemade brownies that have been kissed with red wine? I think nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a personal effort with gifts you make and really…who doesn’t love brownies! These Red Wine Chocolate Brownies are rich with toasted walnuts and a fabulous red wine chocolate glaze.
Perfect? Maybe more than perfect; these are seriously divine brownies…they need a new name, something much more elegant.
While I enjoyed my last one today with a cup of coffee while writing this post, they are the perfect brownie to enjoy with a glass of red wine. Deep, dark chocolate is every so slightly accented with wine for a sophisticated yet subtle touch. The brownie with the red wine and the chocolate ganache on top is the perfect finish to a meal; simple yet rich enough to seem indulgent.
This is not kids treat but a decadently rich adult dessert; they shot quickly to the top of my list of brownie favorites when I first made them years ago…it’s about time I shared them with you again!
I’ve made these several times and switched up wines so use one you love to drink. I’ve done both Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon and loved both so my recommendation would be to pick the wine you want to drink and use it for the recipe and serve them with the same wine. This is truly a match made in chocolate heaven!
Maybe it’s prophetic what I’m going to divulge to you now because of a conversation I had just the other day with a blogging friend. We had just discussed how neither of us share recipes using pre-made mixes and then this happened. I was in a huge pinch for time and needed to get these brownies made, photographed and packaged to deliver to a friend who was a prisoner in her home with a serious cold.
I was on a mission of mercy I tell you…but without enough time. So…don’t hate me but I used a packaged mix for her comfort food gift. Yes I did! I’ve shared the original recipe I normally use but if you’re in a pinch too? These were still amazing.
The only brownie mix I’ve ever used that passes muster is made by Ghirardelli and I like to buy of the large box of Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix (bittersweet, semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips). I have also found a large box at Costco since it’s great to have on hand when kiddos come visit; there are three separate packages in one box. As far as prepared mixes go, these are the best in my book.
I saw that box in the cupboard as I was rushing like a crazy woman and decided to try it for grins…and honestly I’m still smiling. Making a couple of easy additions and adding that scrumptious chocolate wine ganache to the top made these pre-mixed brownies pretty spectacular. I did not share that with my friend (um, though she reads my blog, so now I’m busted) and she loved them.
nothing says ‘I love you’ more than this simple gift of love whether made from scratch or a prepared box mix (See Recipe Notes). Make them for your loved one; whether that be your significant other, your mom, or your neighbor; who doesn’t need a little red wine and chocolate love?
PIN IT! ‘Red Wine Chocolate Brownies with Toasted Walnuts’
Red Wine Chocolate Brownies with Toasted Walnuts
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 Tbsp Red Wine
- ¾ cup Ghirardelli sweet ground cocoa
- ⅔ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
For the Chocolate and Red Wine Glaze:
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 oz semi-sweet chocolate
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp Red Wine
Instructions
- To Make the Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine eggs with sugar and vanilla; add butter and wine. Stir cocoa with flour, baking powder and salt. Combine with egg mixture; add nuts. Spread into greased 8 x 8-inch pan.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool before glazing.
- To Make the Chocolate and Red Wine Glaze
- Melt butter over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and add chocolate, sugar and wine. Continue heating over low heat stirring often, until mixture is smooth - don't let it boil.
- Spoon the hot glaze over the cooled brownies and let stand for a minimum of an hour; refrigerate to firm quicker.
- Use a knife warmed in a glass of hot water to make smooth cuts through the glaze; wipe the knife and rewarm it after each cut.
Chocolate and wine!! Amazing pairing 🙂
They were SO good and it’s not as if you can really taste the wine itself; in a perfect pairing like this, it simply accentuates the chocolate and boy does it do it well! My favorite brownies, well, right now!
I will go and start following First World Trash now!
I follow Creative Culinary on twitter!
I get email updates (RSS) from you!
I saw these brownies in my email inbox and kept going back and ogling them! Wow! I have been wanting to try a chocolate cake with wine in it but I think these brownies just pushed that one out of the way and took its place. The wine sounds heavenly and I’ll bet it is incredible with chocolate…. I love this recipe! And oooh what a cute bag!
Saladgoddess now following First World Trash on Twitter.
Saladgoddess already following you on Twitter.
That satchel is cute! I hope I win so I can carry wine, brownies and camera around in it, too (because that sounds like the perfect use for it)!
Bag looks awesome
I follow you via email.
These bags look fabulous!
And, I’m now following First World Trash on Twitter and am going to take a look at their other products!
I follow you on Twitter 🙂
I don’t see my comments from yesterday 🙁
But, I’m loving the brownies and that gorgeous bag! The pinot noir addition is brilliant. I’d like to have the bag and some brownies come special delivery for me 🙂
The dessert gods were smiling on me when Karen left her brownies behind so I got a double dose! I will say that I didn’t eat hers until you gave me the “ok” but then they were gone in an instant! These were so rich and decadent. Thanks for sharing!
I make a cabernet chocolate bundt cake and it’s amazing! I can only imagine these brownies are the same. They look so fudgy and perfect!
The wine and the brownies sound amazing!!
Oh yes, these lovely brownies (with icing!) are calling out to me. Red wine and chocolate are divine together. Your photos are stunning, too!
The wine sounds like it’s perfect with chocolate and the brownies look amazing. I will have to see if the wine is available on the East Coast. Sounds amazing.
I am now following FWT on Twitter via @mrschef05.
I follow CC on Twitter via @mrschef05
I receive email updates already.
I honestly don’t know what I love most about this post…. the wine (love pinot noir) the brownies, which sound divine or the wine satchel – love that you can carry wine and yourcamera in one bag. Seriously, what more do you need?
Red wine and chocolate is a wonderful pairing! I’ve had something similar in the past, although have never made such a recipe. Hmmm, now you have me thinking! Really fun recipe and post – thanks.
What a cool bag! thanks for a great giveaway! I am an email subscriber.
I would never have thought of putting red wine in brownies! I’m pinning this recipe, even though I’m vegan, and it will need some modification.
Oh wow, I am in love! Pairing wine with chocolate had become so fashionable, but you don’t often see them together in one dish! Love this combo – sounds decadent, delicious and kinda adults-only ;o)
This would be absolutely perfect for Valentines Day! 😀
What a great recipe! I can imagine that the addition of that small amount of wine makes a huge boost in the taste. Also – love the bag. Neat company that I had not heard of before.
If these don’t look like rich and decadent brownies then I don’t know what does. The glaze looks wonderful.
These look great but I have to tell you… Over the weekend I was looking for the Sara Lee brownies that came in the frozen foods section of the grocery. These were very special to us as children. Your brownie looks just like what came out of the package which means I must give it a try, with or without wine! If anyone knows the secret recipe I would be grateful. As I would also be for the wine!
Oh those brownies look amazing, what a fun giveaway!
Barb, this is a beautiful recipe and a natural pairing. I’ve never thought of putting the two together – clever you!
What scrumptious brownies, they look so rich and fudgy!
Hope ths recipe is as good as it sounds. Make some this afternoon and already have them packed up to take on our mini birthday/valentine trip, leaving tomorrow morning. Although Valentine’s Day is my birthday (77) I still want my hubby to have something special (beside me!!)
I already receive your feed via email 🙂
I just started Weight Watchers on Sunday but it looks like I’m gonna have to figure out how to fit in these brownies! Pinot noir in the icing?!?! Hello!
The wine satchel is pretty sweet too. I have a friend’s birthday coming up where it would make a great gift!
2 Words: Weekly Points!
(don’t be afraid of them!)
Great idea! I also froze most of mine…the better to dole them out my dear. 🙂
These brownies look amazing!
Those brownies look and sound amazing! What an exquisite combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
I know just who to make these for and I can’t imagine a better pairing from his point of view – or mine.