san francisco fudge foggies easy recipes

San Francisco Fudge Foggies

Source: Barbara Feldman of San Francisco, winner of Best Overall Recipe in Chocolatier magazine’s Great Chocolate Challenge, 1986

Makes 16 foggies.

1 pound bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
1/3 cup strong brewed coffee
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
8 ounces (about 2 cups) walnut halves, coarsely chopped

Position a rack in the center of oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with a double thickness of aluminum foil so foil extends 2 inches beyond sides of pan. Butter bottom and sides of foil-lined pan.

In top of a double boiler set over hot, not simmering water, melt chocolate, butter and dissolved coffee, stirring frequently, until smooth. Remove pan from the heat. Cool mixture, stirring it occasionally for 10 minutes.

In large bowl, using a hand-held mixer set at high speed, beat eggs 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat 2 minutes, or until mixture is light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in chocolate mixture until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour. Stir in walnuts. Do not over-beat. Transfer batter to pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes, or until Foggies are just set around the edges. They will remain moist in the center.

Cool the Foggies in a pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight, or at least 6 hours.

Remove top foil and run a sharp knife around edge of Foggies. Using two ends of foil as handles, lift Foggies onto a plate and peel off foil. Invert them again onto a smooth surface and cut into 16 rectangles.

Root Beer Cake

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2/3 cup root beer

Combine all ingredients in a large mixer bowl. Blend at low speed, then beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour batter into a greased and floured 12 x 8-inch pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool, frost and store in the refrigerator.

Root Beer Frosting
1 package Pillsbury vanilla frosting mix
1 cup cold root beer

Combine frosting mix and root beer in mixer bowl; blend well. Beat until thick and fluffy (4 to 5 minutes).