Source: Hilton
Hilton Hotels & Resorts®

In 1893, Bertha Palmer requested the pastry team at the renowned Palmer House hotel create a dessert suitable for ladies attending the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. The team created a chocolate, cake-like treat that could be easily transported to and from this major event.

As the official birthplace of the brownie, Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel celebrates its 130th brownie creation anniversary at its on-site restaurants and shares its brownie recipe so bakers can create the world’s original brownie at home.

Palmer House Original Brownie

Makes 16 brownies

Ingredients

  • 5.25 oz 60% dark couverture chocolate
  • 9.75 oz butter
  • 12.75 oz granulated sugar
  • 5 ea eggs
  • 3.5 oz all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder
  • 8 oz chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup apricot preserves
  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease a 9x12-inch rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Make brownies: Place butter and chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
  3. Combine sugar and flour in a large bowl. Add chocolate mixture to sugar mixture; mix until well combined, 4 to 5 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract. Pour batter into the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle walnuts on top, pressing them down slightly into batter.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven until edges start to crisp and brownies rise about 1/4 inch, 30 to 40 minutes.
  5. Make glaze: Mix together water, apricot preserves, and unflavored gelatin in a saucepan over high heat; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 minutes.
  6. Allow brownies to cool for 30 minutes, then spread a thin layer of glaze on top with a pastry brush.

Cook’s Note

Note: When the brownie is properly baked, it will remain “gooey” with a toothpick in the middle due to the richness of the mixture.

🍪 Looking for another famous recipe? Check out the official DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe!

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in 123 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for six consecutive years. Hilton has introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 165 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.