classic brownies

One of the things I like about having to run study halls twice a week, aside from the fact that it forces me to go to the library, is that I have a perfectly legitimate excuse to bake up a storm each week. I mean, you have to lure people to the library some how, and this early in the semester it can be a little hard. But that's where the brownies come in.

The tricky thing is to make something that everyone can enjoy, so I think I'll take this opportunity to master the classics. Last week it was the brownie.

I like brownies pretty much all the time, but I'll admit that the ideal brownie, for me, is chewy and chocolatey on the inside, with that sugary crisp crust on the top. The recipe for this brownie, which I swiped from Inside a Black Apple, had that sweet flavor that I love and the inside ran the delicate line between fudgy and cakey. When I pulled the foil off my plate, the aroma burst out, making my table smell like an old fashioned bakery. Definitely try them, they made the library experience so much more enjoyable.


Classic Brownies recipe here

blondies

Things to do when it snows:

-Play outside until your hair turns into icicles
-Turn the heat up so high it sets off the fire alarm
- Raid the pantry and make blondies

All appropriate answers, though I would have to say that "make blondies" would win here. Mostly because blondies are delicious and are the kitchen sink of baked goods. They take whatever you throw at them and are always delicious. For example?

Butterscotch, cinnamon, and chocolate chips found their way into my blondies. Although many things would have also been welcomed, like white chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit...it's all good (although I'm not much a fan of dried fruit).

Should you find yourself needing something sweet and delicious, whip these up with whatever goodies are on hand. Infinitely flexible and guaranteed delicious in thirty minutes.


Blondies
from Smitten Kitchen, adapted from How to Cook Everything

1 stick butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
pinch of salt
various mix in's

Mix melted butter with brown sugar and beat until smooth. Add egg and vanilla. Add flour, salt, and mix-in's.

Pour into a buttered 8x8 inch pan and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.