Crumb Cake Walnut Brownies

The inspiration to make these brownies came from an unlikely place- the dentist. Nothing like a good teeth cleaning to get you in the mood to sink those pearly whites in some rich chocolate brownies.
Brownies aren't as easy as they seem, depending on your preference, they can be too cake-like or too fudgy (is that even possible?). They can be dry and cracked on the sides and crumbly in the center...so many things can go wrong. Using cocoa powder for all of your chocolate flavor instead of chocolate chunks, too much flour and oil instead of butter are all recipes for disaster in my opinion. With that said, these brownies hit the mark for delicious brownies on all accounts. I dare you to eat just one batch.

Irresistibly fudgy chocolate brownies filled with chocolate chunks, toasted walnuts and sprinkled with a chocolate crumb topping.

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Crumb Topping
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tbl organic light brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegan butter, cold and cubed

 Combine the flour, sugars, cocoa powder and salt. Add in the butter and mix until it is just about to come together.

Deep Chocolate Brownie with Walnuts
2 tbl hot water
1 tsp instant espresso powder
5 oz vegan butter, softened
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/2 cup organic light brown sugar
1 tbl ener-g egg replacer
1 tbl cocoa powder
7 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted
3 oz vanilla soy yogurt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus 2 tbl, divided
1/8 tsp salt
6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped, toasted walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350. Grease an 8x8" baking dish.
Combine the water and espresso powder and set aside.
Beat the butter, sugars, egg replacer and cocoa powder until light and fluffy. Add the bittersweet chocolate, yogurt and vanilla. Add 1/2 cup flour and salt and mix to combine.
Toss the remaining 2 tbl of flour with the chocolate chips and walnuts and add to the mix.
Pour in the baking dish and sprinkle the top with chocolate crumble.
Bake for 45 minutes until set but still gooey inside.