Brownie Batter:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
2. Line a 9″x13″ metal baking pan with parchment paper – make sure that the paper overhangs from the edges by an inch or so. Grease with butter and set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, cream together the butter with the sugar.
4. Next add the eggs, one at a time, beating for about 5 minutes until everything is well combined.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cocoa, flour, baking powder and the finely grated chocolate. Use a whisk to make sure it’s combined well.
6. To the egg, butter and sugar mixture, add the orange juice, orange extract and vanilla. Mix it in for a minute or so.
7. Next, while mixing on low, add about 1/2 a cup of the combined dry ingredients at a time.
8. Continue mixing until everything is well combined.
9. Scrape the batter into the baking pan and spread it out so it’s even.
10. Bake in the oven for about 24 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean when it’s ready. Don’t over bake these – you want them to be moist!
11. Allow the brownies to cool completely to room temperature, while still in the pan.
12. Once the brownies have cool, pour the warm Chocolate Ganache topping over top. Lift the pan up and tilt it back and forth to spread the topping on evenly. Doing it this way will make a nice shiny and even top – without marks from your spatula or other tool – looks so nice this way!
13. After the topping as been spread, sprinkle the orange zest on top while the ganache is still warm.
14. Put the pan of brownies in the fridge to chill for at 20 minutes or so to allow the topping to set.
15. Once the topping has set, CAREFULLY lift the brownies up and out of the pan by holding the edges of the overhanging parchment paper.
16. Cut the brownies into 15 large squares or 30 small rectangles. Serve!

To Make the Chocolate Ganache Topping:

1. Put the dark chocolate into a medium sized glass mixing bowl.
2. In a small sauce pot, heat the heavy cream until it’s near boiling. Turn off the burner and remove from the stove.
3. Slowly pour the heavy cream into the bowl with dark chocolate. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and add the orange extract.
4. Using a whisk, combine the chocolate with the heavy cream. At first the combination might look a little “grainy” since the chocolate still needs to melt more. Keep stirring until everything is smooth and glossy. Make sure to scrape down the sides so everything is mixed. This should take just a couple minutes.
5. Allow the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes. Stir again.
6. Now you can pour it over the brownies as described above! Don’t forget to sprinkle the top with the orange zest. 😀