Stragapalooza

Recipes

Brownies and Ice CreamThe Best Fudge Brownies Ever
From the back of the King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour package

Makes 2 dozen brownies

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups Dutch-process cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
2 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch pan.

In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, or in a saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine. Return the mixture to the heat (or microwave) briefly, just till it’s hot, but not bubbling; it’ll become shiny looking as you stir it. Heating the butter and sugar a second time will dissolve more of the sugar, which will yield a shiny top crust on your brownies. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.

Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Add the eggs, beating till smooth; then add the flour and chips, beating till well combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the brownies for 28 to 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out dry (though it may have a few crumbs clinging to it). The brownies should feel set both on the edges, and in the center. Remove them from the oven, and after 5 minutes loosen the edges with a table knife; this helps prevent the brownies from sinking in the center as they cool. Cool completely before cutting and serving.

Best Blonde Brownies

It is said that the secret to great Blondies is mixing them with a wooden spoon. You can add in anything you wish, but these are delicious plain.

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional - I like to add 1 cup M&M’s or chocolate chips)

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir until mixed well. Stir in dry ingredients and add pecans, M&M’s or chocolate chips, if using. Spread in greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Do not over bake.

Both served with vanilla Ice Cream