I started to get major migraines during the last few months of my senior year at TCU. So with a little help from a family friend (who just happens to be a top doc at Johns Hopkins), I got the right meds and was advised to ween myself off of caffeine. If you know me at all, you’ll know that it wasn’t easy. See, I’m a Starbucks junkie… literally, I’m in there EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. I walk in and they’re already making my drink (which is now a decaf grande Americano with room, thankyouverymuch). I’m friends with most of the baristas, we trade book recs and even hang out away from the ‘Bucks (gasp!). Even though I function pretty well without it, I miss the caffeine. I’m sure it’s just my imagination, though. 
So when I read over the recipe for these Hepburn brownies, I did a happy dance and knew exactly how I was going to change ‘em up. Since I’ve kicked the good stuff (read: caffeine), I decided to go all out with a little jolt… dark chocolate cocoa powder, chopped dark chocolate and espresso powder. Talk about caffeine overload. YUM!!
A big caffeine-induced “thank you” to Lisa of Surviving Oz (the creator of our fab new logo!) for this week’s pick!
Tribute to Katharine Hepburn Brownies (pg. 96-97)
Source: Baking – From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan
July 7, 2009 at 1:12 am
I love coffee too, impossible to live without! Wonderful brownies!
July 7, 2009 at 8:54 am
Yeah, I gave up drinking coffee this summer and it was not easy, but these brownies look like they brought back a good jolt! They look fantastic!
July 7, 2009 at 9:22 am
Caffeine triggers my migraines, too, so I make my own brew at home…75% Peet’s decaf French Roast and 25% Peet’s French Roast. I get a tiny bit of caffeine without living in a dark room three days a month. I’m glad you made these with the espresso powder and enjoyed them!
July 7, 2009 at 10:43 am
Decaf isn’t so bad, though – at least you still get your ‘bucks everyday!
Great looking brownies, J!
July 7, 2009 at 11:28 am
Oh my gosh those look amazing. I need something chocolate in my kitchen right now…:)
July 7, 2009 at 11:46 am
I love your brownies. They look so dark and delicious. YUM.
July 7, 2009 at 11:55 am
Omg those look incredible!
July 7, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Look how dark and handsome your brownies are!
I remembered my caffeine college addiction. Good times, right? Most of my friends are STILL Starbucks junkies, despite the recession!
July 7, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I figured there would be brownie baking going on over here this week. Yep, just knew it. Those are really really rich and chocolatey!
July 7, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Wow, those look so rich and decadent! I’ll take mine with a tall glass of milk, please…
July 7, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Coffee and Chocolate-love the combination. Your brownies look super gooey good.
July 7, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I love the dark cocoa powder. These look great!
July 7, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Holy Moly! Those are some seriously dark brownies!
I like them.
July 7, 2009 at 4:26 pm
See now THAT’s the way I like my caffeine–CHOCOLATE! Your brownies look awesome. I made these four times and LOVE them! Great new, easy go-to brownies, if ya ask me.
July 7, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Wow, you’re brownies look delish! Much thicker than mine were.
July 7, 2009 at 5:02 pm
These look fantastic. I want one.
July 7, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Wow! These are truly intensely dark brownies! I bet they gave you a jolt!
July 7, 2009 at 6:35 pm
They sure are dark! They look fantastic though.
July 7, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Your brownies look perfect! Glad you enjoyed them!
July 7, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I hear you on the coffee shop addiction. I go to this local place called Mocha Madness and let me tell you it’s my MAD addiction. I drink chai tea and like you every day it’s ready for me when I walk in the door!!
Your brownies look so good and dark!
July 8, 2009 at 7:16 am
Of all of the brownies I’ve been seeing, I haven’t seen any quite as dark or tempting!! Fantastic.
July 8, 2009 at 4:21 pm
yum! Great looking brownies! My mom would be all over those (she’s a dark chocolate junkie)!
July 8, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I also gave up coffee, almost a year ago. But no decaf, it’s too near the real thing. But I still cook with it. It really enhances the chocolate. Glad you enjoyed!
July 8, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Love you story and glad you don’t let a little fun get you down. Living on the edge can be a little funsy too. Take care of the noggin though. Great brownies aren’t they?
AmyRuth
July 8, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Your brownies look so dark and rich! I’m glad you enjoyed them! I tried to give up caffeine a few years ago and it was not pretty. Needless to say, I failed…
July 9, 2009 at 9:13 am
WOW!!! Look at those deep dark,dense brownies. Fantastic.
July 10, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Those brownies look like they deliver quite the jolt of chocolate-y deliciousness! I hope they didn’t induce a migraine. My migraines have no (known) trigger, so I haven’t had to make food sacrifices.
July 11, 2009 at 1:05 pm
those sound amazing!!! love your variations