Fudgy Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter plus more for foil
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped
• 1 ¼ cups sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with foil; butter foil. Set aside.
2. 2
   Place butter and chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water; stir frequently, until almost melted. Remove from heat; stir until completely melted.
3. 3
   Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth; whisk in eggs. Gently whisk in flour just until smooth (do not overmix). Fold in nuts, if using.
4. 4
   Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached (they should form a ball when rolled between your fingers), 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
5. 5
   Use foil to lift from pan; peel off and discard. Cut into 16 squares.