Brownies with A Secret

 (Love these for the deep flavor and soft chewy texture.)

½ cup butter, melted

½ cup avocado or vegetable oil 

⅔ cup cocoa powder 

Stir together melted butter, oil, and cocoa powder. (Stirring the cocoa powder into the warm butter will help the chocolate flavor bloom and deepen.)

8 to 10 large medjool dates, diced up

1 or 2 teaspoons vanilla 

Stir the diced dates and vanilla extract into the chocolate mixture. The date pieces will want to stick together; stir well to help them separate and soak in the chocolate.

2 cups sugar 

4 eggs 

In a separate bowl, use electric beaters to beat the sugar and eggs till light and fluffy and sugar is mostly dissolved, about 3 minutes

1 cup flour 

½ teaspoon salt 

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine chocolate mixture with egg mixture. Stir in flour and salt. Don't overmix. Fold in walnuts.

Line a 10x10 OR 9x13-inch metal pan with parchment paper. Pour in the brownie batter and bake at 325° for 30 to 35 minutes. (32 minutes was perfect for my 10-in square pan in my home oven.)

If desired sprinkle top of hot brownies with a little flaky salt.