Here is the first thing you need to know about Mary Louise Butters brownies: Mary Louise Butters is a real person, and yes, that's her real name. In fact, on any given day, a fair number of people here in Austin, Texas will call Mary Louise or even stop her on the street just to tell her how incredibly delightful they've found her brownies to be.
Many of us in Austin have come to the conclusion that Mary Louise is to brownie-making what Mozart is to music and what Mary Poppins is to child care.
We thought we knew brownies - those rich, comforting squares of chocolate, sugar, butter, eggs and flour. But when Mary Louise began adding rose essence or chipotle chilies or crystallized ginger to her rich dark chocolate base, we knew she had invented brownies that weren't just to be enjoyed, but positively savored.
Taste one, and your mind stops racing. The next thing you know, those exquisite and ebullient flavors have become the great fact of the moment.
In all, there are twelve delectable varieties of Mary Louise Butters brownies. We wish you the best of luck in choosing a favorite.