Homemade Chocolate Brownies

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper and spray with baking spray. Set aside.

In a large microwave safe bowl, add the butter and chocolate. Melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave, stopping to check and stir the mixture every 15-seconds. Stir the mixture thoroughly after each 15-second interval, and only heat the mixture in the microwave until the chocolate has melted.

Remove from the microwave and let mixture cool for several minutes. Stir the white and brown sugar into the melted chocolate. Slowly stir in the beaten eggs to the chocolate-sugar mixture. Add the espresso powder, if using (it will enhance the chocolate flavors), and add the vanilla extract to the mixture. Stir until combined. Add the flour to the mixture and stir until just combined.

Pour batter out into the prepared pan and bake in 350-degree oven for 26-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out without raw batter on it. Brownies will have a crackly top when they are done.

Let brownies cool and set in the pan. After brownies have set, transfer brownies to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into desired sized slices.