Bakers say Hollywood star's easy brownie recipe is 'always their first choice'

Home bakers have said that an old Hollywood star has the "best brownie recipe" that is "always their first choice". In fact, Reddit users said that Katharine Hepburn's recipe is one of the best they've ever tried.

Published in the New York Times shortly after the actress's death in 2003, it's now one of the newspaper's most popular recipes ever, with a staggering 12,682 five-star reviews. Simply Recipes described the brownies as "fudgy but not sticky, rich but not overwhelming, dense but not heavy, and incredibly easy to make to boot".

One Reddit user said: "Katharine Hepburn's brownie recipe is always my first choice. Sometimes with chocolate chips added before baking instead of nuts."

Another added their agreement, saying it "never fails".

On The New York Times' recipe, a user said: "This has been my go-to brownie recipe for 30 years, even after going to baking school! I agree that using the best cocoa possible makes a difference."

Another said: "This is the brownie recipe my mother used for years! It's a family favourite. So chocolatey and the right amount of moistness. They don't last long! "

A third added: "These easy-to-make brownies are perfect for a quick treat. Dust them with powdered sugar and enjoy them with an espresso or macchiato coffee."

Here's how to make them.

First, preheat the oven to 165C. Melt 112g of butter in a pan and stir in 55g of cocoa powder until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool for a few minutes before pouring the mixture into a large bowl and adding two eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla.

In the words of Miss Hepburn, you must proceed to "beat it all like mad". In another bowl, combine 200g of sugar, 35g of plain flour, 125g of chopped walnuts or pecans, and a pinch of salt. Pour the mixture into a greased 8 x 8-inch square pan and bake for 35 minutes. Be sure not to overbake them, as the brownies should be gooey. After they've cooled, cut them into 12 bars.

Katharine Hepburn was an American actress whose career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned six decades. She was known for her headstrong independence, spirited personality, and outspokenness. She cultivated a screen persona that matched this public image and regularly played strong-willed, sophisticated women.