Chocolate Carrot Brownies

This is a recipe from The Dough Boys bakery in Asheville, North Carolina, which has been closed for many years now.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup finely shredded carrots
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup dark or golden raisins (optional)

Instructions

1. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, then butter lightly; set aside.
2. Melt chocolate and butter in top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir to blend, then remove from heat and set aside.
3. Sift flour, sugar and salt into a large bowl.
4. With a wooden spoon, beat eggs into reserved chocolate mixture, one egg at a time.
5. Pour chocolate mixture into the flour mixture; blend well.
6. Stir in carrots, nuts, orange zest, vanilla extract and raisins (if desired).
7. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
8. Bake in the middle of a preheated 350 degrees F oven for about 30 minutes, or until a knife or wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Remove the pan from the oven and let brownies cool in pan on a wire rack.
10. Cut into squares when cool.