Brooklyn Crafted

The butcher block is crafted from Brooklyn, not the brownies. 

George's Double Chocolate Brownies on Brooklyn Butcher Block

Nils is is the craftsman or artisan “maker” behind his custom woodwork from Brooklyn Butcher Blocks. I have been proud to use his wood butcher blocks on George Hirsch Lifestyle and carry them with me on other appearances such as The Today Show and Fox and Friends. Visit Nils’s website and order your custom block today. His passion shows is in every project, tell him George sent you!

An often requested recipe from George Hirsch Lifestyle, it is ideal for every occasion. Enjoy as is or upgrade by topping with your favorite ice cream. The brownie derives its character from a deep rich cocoa base for the chocolate flavor.

George’s Double Chocolate Brownies

Makes 12-18 Brownies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 pound (2 sticks) sweet butter, softened at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts

1 1/2 cups semisweet chopped chocolate pieces; or chocolate, or butterscotch chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Grease and flour an 8 x 12 x 2 inch-baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt well. Set aside.

Cream butter in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add granulated sugar, cream on high speed for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. 

On a low speed add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, stopping machine to scrape down the bowl well after each addition. On a low speed add flour and cocoa powder to the butter mixture and mix just until flour is absorbed. Do not over mix. 

By hand, fold the pecans and chocolate in with a rubber spatula.

Optional: if using coconut; mix 3/4 of coconut with pecans and chocolate. 

Using a spatula, spread the batter into baking pan making sure the batter is spread evenly and smooth. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Caution to not over bake. Brownies are baked when pressed cakes springs back when pressed lightly with your finger or a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 2 hours and cut the brownies into rectangle or square pieces.

George’s Homemade kitchen Christmas Pick 5

inspirations are opportunities to try something new...

Taste-fully giving gifts and warming recipes for entertaining this holiday!


Enjoy my Bologna Inspired  Tortellini Basil Soup with warm Biscuits and a crisp Fennel & Green Bean Salad.

Holiday on the Cutting Edge

Need a gift inspiration this holiday?

I’ve used Mercer’s knives for almost thirty years; they were the knives I choose for my culinary students back then because they deserved the best. This is quality that lasts a lifetime and I am proud to have Mercer Cutlery partner with me for my cooking and lifestyle series on public television. You may even say I am living on the cutting edge!  

Once you have a good knife, sharpen your knife skills by chopping veggies for my warm and comforting Tuscan Artichoke Soup.  

To learn more about Mercer Cutlery.

Pampered Cows

It's no secret how much fondness I hold for my friends in Ireland as they are truly one of the most friendly and hospitable people on earth. I actually think the phrase tender loving care was born there. Here's proof, in this TV ad from KerryGold.

Kerrygold's  slogan is "The Best By A Country Kilometer", and they are spot on. 


Dubliner Cheese: Once you try it, you'll be hooked. I am. It was first described to me as a mixture between Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano. This description is quite accurate. Dubliner tastes of a mature Cheddar with the sweet aftertaste of Reggiano. Created by the Irish company Kerrygold and named after Ireland’s capital city, this cheese shares traits with several well-known cheeses but the combination creates a flavor that is completely unique. 

Note: Serve alongside a full-bodied Cabernet, a freshly pulled pint of Guinness, or simply melted between a few slices of crusty brown bread.