Dr. Orit’s Favorite Brownies

One half-sheet pan

14 ounces (400 g) walnuts
1 pound, 8 ounces (680 g) sweet dark chocolate
1 pound (455 g) unsalted butter
1 pound, 12 ounces (795 g) granulated sugar
8 eggs
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
1 pound (3 1/2 cups or 455 grams) bread flour
½ teaspoon (2 g) baking powder
6 ounces (170 g) dark raisins (optional)

1. Coarsely chop walnuts and set aside.
2. Cut chocolate into coarse chunks and melt with butter in a double broiler. If you do not own a double broiler you can improvise by placing the chocolate and butter in a small bowl or pot and melting them over a larger pot of simmering water. Set aside to cool.
3. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
4. In a large sized bowl whip the sugar, eggs, and vanilla at high speed until light and fluffy. Fold into the cooled chocolate mixture.
5. Sift flour with baking powder and stir into chocolate mixture.
6. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of the walnuts (and raisins if you like).
7. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces (55 g) of walnuts over the top.
8. Bake at 400℉ (250℃) for about 30 minutes or until completely set but still slightly soft. Cool and slice into pieces of the desired size.