Marmalade Nut Brownies

I really like these. I hadn't made brownies in a way long time, and I was excited to try a slight twist on the ultimate classic. As you can see, they are the perfect texture between cakey and fudgey. But just wait until you take a bite.

As you can tell from the title, one of the secret ingredients in here is marmalade. Orange marmalade. Because you don't know what to do with the leftover from the Orange Marmalade Ricotta Cupcakes you just made. Orange marmalade is like jelly but with big pieces of sweet orange peel floating around, so these brownies are effervescent with just the right hint of citrus.

But they have something else. No way can you guess it from looking, but if you took a bite, you might look at me, thinking, unsure, and ask, "Is there heat?" There is. Just a little, from 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. I LOVE spicy chocolate! These brownies are SO fun and good! Not wacky, not over-the-top, but just different enough to stand apart from, and above, all the rest.
Marmalade Nut Brownies
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, melted
3 eggs
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, extending the foil over the edges of pan. Grease foil; set aside. In large bowl stir together sugar and melted butter. Stir in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in marmalade and vanilla. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and cayenne pepper until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

2. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake about 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Use the foil to lift the brownies from pan. Cut into 36 pieces.

Recipe from The Ultimate Cookie Book