I don’t know what it is about February, maybe the often erratic weather, or that we’ve all had enough of being cooped up from the cold, but it seems to heighten this anxious need for spring.  Here at Witchery Wednesday we are not about speeding up the seasons, so something else had to be done.  Enter Spice Brownies.  Crumbly, crispy, and fudgy, spicy, not terribly sweet, and just a tad bitter, these brownies are a riot of taste and texture specifically formulated to clear out the mental cobwebs and focus all of that restless energy.

1 1/4 c. flour
1 c. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c. olive oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Heat oven to 350°.  Grease and flour an 8″x8″ pan.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, spices, and salt.  Add sugar and whisk until well combined.  Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl lightly beat eggs.  Add oil, vanilla, and water, and whisk to sort of combine (mixture will not come together smoothly, this is normal).

Add wet mixture to dry and beat with a wooden spoon until no more dry flour mixture remains.  Batter will be very thick.  Fold in walnuts and chocolate chunks.

Spoon into prepared pan and bake 40 minutes.  Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting.