Tuesday, January 28, 2014

SUPER (bowl) Amazing Brownies

As far as Super Bowl parties go, it's going to be hard to top the lusciousness of Jan's Brie en Croute from yesterday. But it could use a good accompaniment. Something chocolaty. Ooey, gooey chocolaty, at that. Make it finger food and that's even better.

You know, I've made a lot of brownies in my years, some from mixes, some from scratch, but this recipe I got from my SIL is one for the record books. Not to mention the taste buds.

For these brownies you will need:

  • 1 1/3 c all purpose flour
  • 2 c sugar
  • 3/4 c baking cocoa
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper or smoky chili powder
  • 1/2 c chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1/3 c cooking oil
  • 1/3 c melted butter, cooled
  • 4 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.





Mix together your dry ingredients.

Including those secret ingredients that are going to turn these yummy brownies into amazing brownies.

Now, as always, I feel the need to instruct you that just because these have chili powder in them does not mean they will be hot. Well, unless you eat them right out of the oven, in which case you will have blisters on the roof of your mouth. And we all know that is not fun. These brownies will have more depth of flavor, but they will NOT be hot.

Combine your oil, butter, eggs and vanilla and add to dry ingredients. You do not want to over-mix this and you do now want to use a whisk. Go for the wooden spoon.

Your batter will be thick.

Spread into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
(Yes, you may lick the spatula)

And bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. If you like your brownies a little on the gooey side (maybe with a scoop of ice cream :), you'll want to go for the shorter baking time. 
The longer they bake, the cakier they will become.

Cool on rack (Like that's going to happen) before cutting.

I let mine bake a little longer because last time they were too gooey. And I also omitted the nuts because I wanted my boys to eat these so I wouldn't. They may be nuts, but they don't like nuts.

So is everyone keeping warm across the country. Ruthy, you chillin' in upstate? Jan, I see you're in the deep freeze, too. Any snow worth mentioning?

We're up and down in Texas. Typical. I won't be putting my heavy coat away just yet. And can you believe they got ice in Houston? Susanna can attest to that. That is a very rare event for Houstonians, so you know they were slip-sliding like crazy.

Has anyone else noticed the tone of the national newscasts regarding the weather? To me, there always seems to be this undercurrent of, "How dare it turn cold again," or "Can you believe we're getting more snow?" Did someone forget to tell these people it's winter?

I'm not complaining about the weather, though. I like it cold. Of course, we're not at minus 20 either. Still, y'all will be the ones who are nice and comfortable come July and August when we're sweltering in 100+ temps. And baking anything will be the last thing on my mind.



28 comments:

  1. these sound yummy! I don't have the spices though - just regular chili powder. I'm working tonight and supposed to work tomorrow night but they can kiss my you know what tomorrow night if it's icy - told my supervisor I hated to do it but I wouldn't be in. I don't drive on ice and not risking my life (or car!) driving to sit here at ajob that will just struggle to run anything and if they DO run anything the safety showers will likely be frozen so they legally aren't supposed to be running if that happens...they may decide to close tomorrow but dunno..they can't run without someone in the lab and both of us are calling in if it's icy. just makes me upset they say they're (The bosses) aren't coming in but the little guys who are 'essential' have to come in..even the city and county are closed! last week I got off Thurs night and made it home and didn't have to go in the weekend since I was scheduled off- weird but Fri showed pics on the news of all the wrecks and Saturday was beautiful and no sign of cold. The big problem in Houston is nearly everything has a bridge or overpass- all the freeways are raised except a few sections here and there but some of those ramps are way high up and slanted and itty bitty guard rails..

    anyways...I like nuts in my brownies but I don't turn a brownie down usually - has to be a pretty bad brownie if I turn one down...and I've gotten hold of a few but usually the store bought stuff..now wondering if Randalls has some 'essential' employees who will open at 6 so I can get the spices to make these...
    Susanna

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    1. Susanna, you're probably in bed by now, but Looking at the radar, it appears the wi try precip is almost to you. They're getting it at the ranch. Wish I were there to see icicles hanging from the camp house. :)

      I don't blame you for not wanting to go into work. Stay safe and warm.

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    2. Not asleep yet but about to be. Sprinkling outside so will have to see
      Susanna

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  2. Let us not speak of -20 wind chills, single digits and mounting snow!!!! We shall, instead, speak of softer days and gentler times, of romantic moments under star-grazed moon and dew-soaked grass, with frogsong serenading our hand-holding steps.

    Either that or BROWNIES!!!!! I made homemade brownies yesterday and THEY SPELLED MY DOWNFALL FROM YET ANOTHER DIET-NOW COMMITMENT!!!!!!

    Melting in my mouth, warm from the pan, it started as a "pinch" just to see....

    And three brownies later I'd eaten my carb count for 5 days.

    Duh. Duh. Duh.

    Hey, it's cold up here, but it's winter and we're hearty stock! And I'm a complete summer whiner, so I have to brave, bold, and big in the winter. No one wants a 24/7/365 Ruthy-whiner!!!!

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    1. No, I don't think we'd want to hear anyone whine that often. Talk about beaten down.

      Brownies will getcha very time, Ruthy. So far, I've only had one brownie. Am I being good or what? Going to wrap and freeze some, I think. Keep them for emergencies.:)

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  3. And Tex, I'm taken aback by the weather reports that seem to make winter a do-or-die situation.

    Really???? We've danced this dance before, right? We've two-stepped with old man winter a number of times, and spring always follows! I understand drama about tornadoes and hurricanes, but winter is so much more predictable.... and less deadly than they make it out to be.

    Think of what those early pioneers had to contend with on the prairie, settling the Midwest.... Now that was TOUGH. God love their bravery, their courage, their steadfast endeavors and their faith.

    Now? With central heating and heated automobiles?

    Pshaw. We've got this!!!!

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    1. Exactly, Ruthy! It's not like winter is some new phenomenon. But, speaking of whiners, we're becoming a nation of them. Our ancestors are probably rolling over in their graves. I like to think I'm made of the same sorta stuff they were, but I've never had to trek through three feet of snow to get to the bathroom. We have it so easy.

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  4. I"m tired. now that the entire city of Houston is taking the day off as well as the county and all the important people here at work (everyone but us in the lab and operators) they're saying it won't be bad today - slight chance now of freezing rain...so looks like I'll be driving to work tonight. but at least it's looking better. not fair IMO but oh well.
    I like cold weather in general but not ice when I have to drive to work. And I'm really tired and bummed out right now but I get so tired of people's comments about 'why don't the idiots stay off the road like they said to do' when THEY don't have to get out in the bad weather and drive to a job or risk ticking off a boss.
    anyways my plans are to get something to eat if the breakfast taco place is open and go home and eat then sleep..wake up and see how the weather is then probably drive in to work tonight for another night shift.

    wish I had some brownies...could use a mood booster! and I get the hot summers NOT supposed to deal with ice..it can be 30 degrees all it wants but leave out the ice and snow that sticks. glad I'm not in 10 foot snow though wouldnt mind it if I could stay home and the heat worked...
    Susanna

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    1. Hopefully it won't be bad. Though, when you're talking about ice, it doesn't take much.

      Sending you cyber brownies. Not as good, I know, but they are calorie-free. :)

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  5. the news always seems to pick something and dramatize it...doesn't matter what it is. Guess we should be happy the weather is the only thing they're finding LOL!
    one hour til breakfast taco....if they're open!
    Susanna

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  6. You lost me at Super Bowl but reeled me in with 'brownies'...can you tell where my heart lies???? With chocolate of course. This recipe looks good...scary but good. I might just have to make this when I get home this afternoon. Brownies would be a serious pick me up on a cold snowy day!!! Surely all the shivering I do will burn off those extra calories, right?

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    1. Absolutely, Kav. You need the extra energy to keep warm. That's hard work, you know.

      That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :D

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  7. Four egg brownies? I am in. I always make mine from scratch but my recipe isn't cake like. These look like the ticket. Thanks.

    I recently bought a store mix and tried it. I trashed the entire pan. Brownies are something that simply MUST be made from scratch.

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    1. They really are better homemade, aren't they Tina. Plus you can toy with the recipe, spices and such. I've even added chocolate chips to the mix. Of course, you can do that with a box mix too, but why waste good chocolate on a box mix? ;)

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    2. Actually, I've always liked the box brownies better! I think they're gooier. I don't like mind cakey at all.

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    3. Missy, you can definitely make these gooey. Just stick to the shorter baking time. You'll still want to check them, though.

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  8. Ooooo! Cinnamon AND chili pepper!!!! Mindy, these will be wonderful...I'm sure! Love Penzeys, too!

    Thanks for letting us lick the spatula! :)

    I'm craving brownies now. I need to get ground chipotle pepper, so a trip into our cold and windy weather may be necessary...but worth it to take care of a chocolate attack!

    Hope those in snowy, icy weather stay warm and safe!

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    1. You know, Sherida, the more I buy from Penzey's, the more I love them.

      What's a little trip into the cold when you're going to fire up the oven and do a little baking? And warm brownies just makes it even more worth it. I say go for it, Sherida. :)

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  9. You've convinced me, Mindy. I have to try brownies with the spices.

    But these aren't on my diet...so I'll look for a low-carb diet-friendly brownie recipe and add the spices. If I'm successful, I'll share the recipe some Monday.

    If it fails, you'll never hear me speak of it again. :)

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    1. Ooo, I can't wait to hear, Jan. Hmm...I wonder about spicing up one of those flourless chocolate cakes? Might be worth a shot.

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  10. OH! And winter!

    We've been west of the polar vortexes that have been plaguing the rest of the country. I sure feel for you southerners. Folks who don't have furnaces. Cities who don't own snowplows or stockpile sand/salt for the roads. People without snow tires on their cars! I DOES become a major thing!

    We're actually having a normal winter for us - which is good. The last couple winters have been warmer and drier than normal. Very bad. But we're caught up with the precipitation (no more drought conditions), and we've been reasonably cold.

    For us. :)

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    1. Of course, you did have that little snow storm back in the fall. That could have wiped out your drought right there.

      They were in a drought when we lived in Rapid City, so we didn't see much snow. Did see polar vortex temps a couple of time, though. -20 air temps during the day is no fun. Even if there was snow, you wouldn't be able to enjoy it.

      The DFW area finally bought some snow plows after the big Super Bowl fiasco. I loved that snow/ice/cold event. Just felt like it was God letting Jerry Jones know who was really in charge. :D

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    2. Oh yes, that little bit of snow in October...I remember that.... :)

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  11. Mindy, these look amazing! My hubby will love them! Thanks for sharing.

    We're getting snow here now!! I can't remember the last snow we got here. It's probably at an inch. The kids got out of school at 11:30 to prepare for it coming. Y'all in the north are probably laughing at us. :)

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    1. How exciting, Missy! I would love see a few flakes. We haven't had any snow at all this year. Just the ice storm. Looked pretty on the ground, but it's just not the same as watching those fluffy flakes drifting through the air. Of course, I saw the video Ruthy posted on FB and her flakes were not drifting. More like pummeling. :)

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    2. Well, around Atlanta is a nightmare now on the roads. And Debby, Patty Hall and I are supposed to fly out of Atlanta tomorrow for the LI Reader luncheon!! Y'all please pray the roads clear.

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    3. Goodness! I didn't realize y'all were going. Check on your light before you head out. And, by all means, be safe!

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  12. off to work in a few minutes..seems north Houston is the only part that got it but it's wet outside and cold tonight...hopefully no problems! and they ended up calling in all the important people and cancelling the stay home day though I have no idea how many answered their phones..kinda messy with the schools closing then parents being in a jam with working with young kids home... still wish I had a good paying nonessential day job LOL!
    Susanna

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