Cointreau Walnut Brownies flavored with Orange Liqueur

Now that the holidays are finally here, I find people in New York City to be a lot nicer.

The cashier at my cafeteria tells me, more often, to enjoy my lunch. A total stranger getting the same meal as I tells me to enjoy my lunch. The doorman at my work seems more cheery and greets me with a smile every single morning. People in general seem happier, more cheerful, and rather calm. Yes, I take notice of these things.
After 11 months, the pace seems slower here in New York City. People slow down to take note of the Christmas lights on the trees and enjoy those Christmas carols playing, somewhere. The spirit of Christmas can be felt throughout this beautiful city.

Furthermore, chivalrous behavior seems to be at an all time high. For these reasons and so many more, Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Everything from the lights to the spirit of the people to planning the Christmas menu to getting together with family to cook & bake, and the joy of giving. That is what Christmas is all about to me.
I baked these delicious brownies for my sister and brother-in-law during Thanksgiving and it was over within hours.
So this holiday season, bake these delicious Cointreau flavored Walnut Brownies for your loved ones.

NUTRITION: These brownies contain bittersweet chocolate chips which contain Antioxidants. In addition, walnuts are an excellent source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

MODIFICATIONS I MADE:

This recipe was mostly inspired by this recipe.
I added Cointreau Liqueur and orange zest.

APPROXIMATE NUTRITION PER SERVING (yields 16 squares)

Calories: 222 cals
Fat: 15.3 g
Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
Carbs: 20 g
Protein: 2.9 g
Fiber: 1 g

COINTREAU WALNUT BROWNIES WITH ORANGE LIQUEUR (mostly adapted by this recipe)
~ yields 16 squares @ 350 degrees using a 8" x 8" baking tray
~ fat and calories were not reduced in this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

Unsalted Butter - 6 tbsp
Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chocolate Chips - 1 cup (or 8 ounces)
Sugar - ¾ cup
Cointreau Liqueur – 2 tbsp (you can also use Grand Marnier Liqueur)
Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp
Eggs - 2 large (1 at a time)
All Purpose White Flour - ¼ cup
Orange Zest – ½ to ¾ tsp
Walnuts - 1 cup (dry roasted & roughly chopped)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Grease the baking tray.
2. Start by dry roasting the walnuts. Once you smell the aroma of the walnuts, remove them from the heat. Once cool, roughly chop the walnuts.
3. Preheat the oven.
4. In another pot on medium heat, heat the butter and chocolate chips. Allow the butter and chocolate to melt together until smooth.
5. This is what you should have.
6. Add the sugar. Stir well to avoid graininess.
7. Add the Cointreau Liqueur. Stir.
8. Now add the eggs one at a time, stirring in between, followed by the vanilla extract. Stir really well.
9. Add the white flour and stir until all the flour is well incorporated, do not overmix.
10. Add the orange zest.
11. Now add the roasted & chopped walnuts.
12. Add the batter to the baking tray.
13. Into the oven for 30 minutes exactly, but this depends on your oven, so check after 25.
14. This is what you should have. Cut into 16 squares.

OVERALL RATING: 5 / 5
These brownies were quite amazing and I loved the orange flavor in them. My inspiration for these brownies came from The Melting Pot - the fondue restaurant. There is a liquid chocolate fondue dessert item which consists of Grand Marnier, and so I thought of adding some orange liqueur to my brownies. The brownies weren't overly sweet since they were made with dark chocolate, my personal preference, of course you can also use semisweet, but you may end up with slightly sweeter brownies. Overall, moist, dense, fudgy, and delicious!
What do you think?

TELL ME: Is it just me, or are you happier around the holidays? Do you feel the spirit of Christmas where you live?