Ralph Lauren's Fudgy Chocolate Brownies with Rum Glaze
These are Ralph Lauren's signature brownies - rich, fudgy squares made with unsweetened chocolate and topped with a luxurious warm rum glaze. The brownies have a dense, almost truffle-like texture from the high chocolate-to-flour ratio, while chopped walnuts add crunch throughout. The rum glaze creates an elegant finishing touch that sets these apart from ordinary brownies. Perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress guests with a sophisticated dessert that balances intense chocolate flavor with the warm notes of dark rum.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, weigh or measure with light hand
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 oz unsweetened chocolate, choppeddark chocolatereduce sugar by 1/2 cupchocolate
sweeter result
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 3 cups sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups walnuts, chopped
- walnuts, for garnish(optional)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, for glaze
- 4 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped, for glazedark chocolatereduce sugar by 1/2 cupchocolate
sweeter result
- 6 tablespoons confectioners sugar
- salt, for glaze
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, for glaze
- 4 tbsp dark rum or brandy
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and grease baking pan, line bottom with parchment paper
- 2
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl
- 3
Melt chocolate and butter with sugar in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth
- 4
Beat eggs and vanilla until mixed but not frothy in large bowl
- 5
Stir chocolate mixture into eggs, then fold in flour mixture until incorporated
- 6
Fold in chopped walnuts and spread in prepared pan
- 7
Bake until edges are set and tester comes out with few crumbs attached
- 8
Let cool while making glaze
- 9
Melt butter and chocolate for glaze over low heat
- 10
Sift in confectioners sugar and salt, stir in vanilla and rum
- 11
Spread warm glaze over cooled brownies
- 12
Cut into squares, garnish each with walnut half
- 13
Refrigerate before serving
Tips
Use metal baking pan rather than glass for best results with even heating.
Don't overbake - brownies should have a few moist crumbs on tester when done.
Let brownies cool completely before glazing for best texture and appearance.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for 1 week.
Can be made 1 day ahead - glaze and refrigerate overnight before serving.
Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled for best texture.
Common Mistakes
Use metal pan to avoid uneven baking that glass can cause.
Don't overbeat eggs to avoid tough texture.
Keep glaze warm while spreading to prevent it from setting too quickly.
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make these without the rum glaze?
Yes, these brownies are delicious on their own. You can dust with powdered sugar or serve with vanilla ice cream instead of glazing.
What if I don't have unsweetened chocolate?
You can substitute with cocoa powder - use 3/4 cup cocoa powder plus 1/4 cup additional butter for each 4 oz unsweetened chocolate.
How long do these keep?
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week. The glaze may soften at room temperature.