Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9×13 baking pan
- Melt two sticks of unsalted butter and 4 squares of unsweetened chocolate together in a pan on the lowest heat.
- Combine 4 eggs and 2 cups of sugar in a big bowl by hand and add 1 teaspoon of real vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- Pour the melted chocolate and butter mixture in with the sugar and eggs. Stir to combine.
- Slowly add 1 cup of flour s little bit at a time until you see no flour
- Pour batter in baking pan.
Bake 16 minutes at 350. Turn heat down to 325 and bake the rest of the way.
Cool and slice into squares
Context: The informant received this recipe orally from her mother. Her grandmother never let her mother in the kitchen when she was growing up, but it was the one thing she learned to bake. Everyone loved these brownies and wanted the recipe. It was the informant’s mother’s ‘go to’ when her parents had company.
Interpretation: This recipe is geared towards people who are not well-versed in the kitchen. It is an example of how recipes can empower people. Despite the informant’s mother’s lack of skill, she was able to impress the people around her and provide a delicious gift. This recipe also connects the informant to her mother, who is now deceased. By making this recipe, the informant is able to pass on her mother’s memory.