A Brownie Sundae to Beat the Heat

I just love the sight of trees dripping with Spanish moss. It's so...romantic. So southern. Definitely not something you'd see in New York, South Dakota, Oregon or even North Texas. But here in the heart of South Central Texas, it's as common as longhorns and barbeque restaurants.

Something else that's pretty common is the heat and humidity. Yes, summer has arrived. And what better way to cool off than with something cold, chocolatey and oh-so-satisfying.

Yep, that'll work.

Of course, the perfect brownie sundae requires the perfect brownie.

And I've got just the ticket.

Here's what you'll need.

1 1/3 cup All Purpose Flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup baking cocoa

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup coconut oil (canola or vegetable will work, too)

1/3 cup melted butter

4 eggs slightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2-3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional--I did not use them this time because a certain teenager has an aversion to them)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine your dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine oil, butter, eggs and vanilla.

Add to the dry...

And stir just until combined.

Batter will be thick.

Pour/spread into greased 9x13 pan.

Bake 20-25 minutes.

If using for sundaes, allow to rest 5-10 minutes before cutting, if they're simply for eating, allow to cool completely before cutting.

Okay, on to the sundae.

We have our perfect brownie.

Top with your favorite ice cream.

In Texas, it's gotta be Blue Bell.

 

Now add a little chocolate sauce or hot fudge, some caramel and whipped cream...

The only thing missing is the cherry on top, but we were out. Nonetheless, it hit the spot, meeting the criteria of cold and chocolatey. The perfect ending to another crazy week.

Instead of unpacking and demo, we headed back up north for our baby's graduation. He finished school back in December, but last week it became official as he walked with his classmates and received his high school diploma.

Throw in running around to get computers fixed, cleaning the old house and it was another busy week.

Of course, there was this.

I can't believe my little million-dollar-man is a month old already. And getting more handsome by the day, if might say. I just want to eat him up.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's all about paint colors.

We're trying to find the perfect "limestone" shade to paint the brick.

Which one would you pick?

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and the last of her five children. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com