Brownie lovers come on in..

Hi all!

Well, if there is a time to laugh at me it will be now.  I am going to post a recipe that is so utterly simple you will think I have lost my mind and actually have nothing better to do with my time and yours, except to post this.  But just wait until you try these brownies,  people really will think you slaved over the hot oven to mix these up from scratch.  It will be our little secret, that is how well received these little (or big) depending on if you cut them like I do or in tiny little portions while everyone is looking, then later cut a big chunk for yourself.  Not that I have done this or anything but just saying.  After all we deserve it, we worked so hard making these little pieces of chocolate, dare I say, heaven? 

Here we go, get your pencils ready for this shopping list:

Let's bake some Brownies.

The Players:

Yes that's it.  The trick to these "tastes like made from scratch brownies" is...
I read somewhere that that symbol of three or more periods in a sentence is the most overused punctuation on the internet.  There is a name for it but the name escapes me right now, as so many things are wont to do lately.  But, I digress.  The trick is combining two brownie mixes.   Very important, one must be a Ghirardelli brand mix.  The secret is out!

Mix both mixes together, following package directions:

Pour brownie mix into a 13x9" pan:

Bake until set:

Allow to cool or you will have a gooey, chocolatey mess on your knife:

Well, what do you think?  They really are good and here is another secret, I am not a chocoholic but I do like these, a lot.  Almost as much as my husband or a new little puppy.  :)

Brownies

Ingredients:

1 18.75 Oz. box of Ghirardelli Chocolate, Chocolate Brownie Mix
    (any variety is fine, I used the Chocolate Supreme this time)

1/4  cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

Additional brownie mix make sure it will make 13x9 pan size brownies, it should be labeled as such on the front of the box.  This is what I used this time:

1 19.5 oz. box Family Size Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

2 eggs


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl mix one brownie mix according to package directions starting with the 13x9 brownie mix.  Mix well. 

Mix Ghiardelli mix according to package directions.  Mix well.  Add this mixture to the 1st brownie mix batter.  Mix well.

Grease the bottom of a 13x9 pan with vegetable oil or non-stick cooking spray. 

Pour mix evenly into pan. 

Bake at 350 degrees checking after 35 minutes.  These brownies are thicker than your usual brownies so additional baking time will be required.  Turn the pan in the oven about half way through the baking time.  Continue baking until sides pull away from side of pan just slightly and center is set.  You can check by inserting a knife in center.  It should come out clean.  Continue baking until desired doneness.  It can take an additional 15 minutes of baking time.  Just be patient and keep checking on them. 

Allow to cool for at least an hour, if you can wait that long.  Cut into squares and enjoy. 

Let me know what you think. 

Additionally, I have to thank my friend Yo who gave me this top-secret recipe.  Thanks Yo. 

Enjoy!

Evelyn

Eat Dessert First!

How many times have you heard the saying, "Life is too short, eat dessert first"? Well, that is exactly what John & I did tonight. The aroma of an oatmeal cake baking, permeated our senses this was way too much to ignore, so John quickly took the photographs and we dug in. ahhhh We feel much better now, but at almost 8:00p we did not seem to be too hungry for our dinner. I guess after all these years I will admit that Mom was right; eating dessert first spoils your dinner. Oh well, it was quite good and hope you agree if you make the cake too.

Cathy's Oatmeal Cake

Things you will need:

Combine & cover, the oatmeal, butter and water.

Combine the white sugar, brown sugar and eggs with the oatmeal/butter mixture.

Sift & add, flour, salt baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, & cinnamon.

Raisins, cut up prunes or nuts may be added.

Recipe:

Cathy's Oatmeal Cake

Combine, cover and let stand for 20 minutes:
1 cup rolled oats         1 1/4 cups boiling water
1 stick butter or margarine.

Add:
1 cup white sugar       2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar

Sift and add:
1 1/3 cups flour     1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda   1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg        1 tsp. cinnamon

Stir by hand until well mixed.

Optional: raisins, cut up prunes, or nuts may be added.

Pour batter into a greased & floured bundt pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

You can make cake in a 13"x9" cake pan, adjust baking time check for doneness after 35 minutes, a toothpick inserted in middle of cake should come out clean.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan, when completely cooled sprinkle on powdered sugar.

Taking the plunge! Let the blogging begin!

Well here goes, let the blogging begin. I have been interested in blogging ever since I began subscribing to so many various blogs and thought why not jump in. The learning curve is a little steep at this point but jumping in none the less. I hope you find this blog fun, informative and interesting. I hope to include my favorites such as cooking, baking, card making and scrapbooking. The cooking and baking will be just good old home cooking, nothing too fancy but step by step instructions and recipes. Simple cards to a little more difficult cards, nothing difficult so that might not have been the best word to use, just some cards with a few more steps than the simple cards. There that is better.

Poor John is in charge of taking all the photos, his latest comment was "I can see it now, we will not be eating dinner until 8:00p every night since I am taking photos". He is such a kidder, I think in reality he loves this new assignment. If you are not over 50 years old you may not understand this comment, but trust me after a certain age dinner at 5:00p is almost a standard, must do routine. :)

So let's get started.

Hugs & all things beautiful,
Ev