Katharine Hepburn, it is said, so loved brownies and chocolate in general that she developed this recipe in her youth after being gifted a batch of brownies from a friend. True to her outgoing and outspoken character, Hepburn deemed the brownies not "chocolatey" enough and set out to create her own recipe. You can also find this brownies recipe on a card in the new museum at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook. The center recently opened the museum to pay homage to Hepburn, a four-time Oscar winning and legendary actress who was born and raised in West Hartford. She lived the latter part of her life in her waterfront Old Saybrook home in the Fenwick section of town.
1/2 cup cocoa, or 2 squares (2 Oz.)
1 stick, (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1. Melt the butter with the cocoa or chocolate in a heavy saucepan over medium low heat, whisking constantly until blended.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar.
3. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and walnuts. Mix well.
4. Pour into a well-buttered 8-inch square pan. bake at 325 degrees or until a toothpick inserted center comes out clean.
5. Cool the brownies completely and then cut into squares.