Betrothal Brownies

So, I don't want to exaggerate, but I believe that you can't say you really love someone until you've either a: made these brownies for him or her, or b: eaten these brownies prepared by him or her and then immediately proposed marriage.  And I'll not listen to the old "but the love of my life doesn't like chocolate  . . .  "  Seriously?  Then break up before it's too late.  There are few things more miserable than being saddled to a chocolate-hater for life.  Something is fundamentally broken inside.  These brownies are so good I need to warn you against making them for someone you are casually dating.  Don't be a tease, People.  Only make these for someone if you're in it for the long haul.  They.  Are.  That.  Good. 

Even better news: if the baking of these brown beauties does lead to an engagement, I also do wedding photography!  <3 

Don't be tempted to over-bake these if they don't test clean-toothpick done...you could have found a chocolate chip where you tested. They firm up as they cool so resist the temptation to cut into them when they first come out of the oven.

2 cups fine-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
3½ ounces dark chocolate (90% cocoa), chopped
1½ sticks (¾ cup) unsalted butter
1 cup Florida Crystals sugar
2 teaspoons of prepared instant espresso, room temperature (I put 1 full tablespoon into roughly 3 ounces of hot water, then measured out the 2 teaspoons.  You can dilute it more or less to taste)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons chocolate extract
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the dark chocolate and one cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with the butter, stirring until the mixture is smooth; remove the bowl from the heat, and let the mixture cool until it's lukewarm.
2. Stir in the sugar, espresso, vanilla and chocolate extract; add the eggs, stirring after each addition. Stir in the salt and the flour, until the mixture is just combined. Mix in the remaining chocolate chips.
3. Pour the batter into a well-buttered and floured 9" x 13" baking pan, smooth the top, and bake the mixture in the middle of oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it. Let the mixture cool completely in the pan on a rack and cut it into whatever size brownies you like.