Brownies, A Legacy in Chocolate
As much as I love cooking food and having dinner parties, my strengths have always been in baking. Homemade cakes, cookies, bread, candies, and son on--foods that make the whole house smell like love and comfort. To me there is nothing better than a still-warm-from-the-oven dessert.
But because I live alone, baking is something I don't do as often as I'd like, so I use BBQs, parties, and social events as an excuse to rev up the oven and pull out the baking dishes. It makes me feel like a good human being to show up at a party with a tray full of homemade indulgences. And, I must admit, it's partially a selfish motivation in finding great satisfaction hearing the "mmmm"s and "oh my"s.
There is one person in my life who greatly influenced my love of baking, my grandmother on my mom's side, Damaris Spielmann. She was constantly baking yummy treats for us grandkids and had them sitting out in cookie jars or presented on fancy plates no matter what time of the year it was.
My grandma made the best cakes, cookies, jellies, pickles, bread, and soups of anyone I have ever met. Her kitchen always smelled like a bakery and made me feel comfortable and at home. She had a boisterous laugh that was infectious and she shook like a bowl of Jell-O when she really got going. It was not uncommon for us all to sit down to play cards or board games and get to laughing so hard that tears streamed down our faces. She had a wealth of patience for us grandkids and gave us more love and attention than any of my relatives. She is no longer living, but I love her beyond words and it is through her recipes that I carry on her legacy and allow a part of her to live forever.
One of my favorite treats is homemade brownies. Brownies from a box seem pretty pointless and an outright insult to their simplicity. Making them from scratch is ridiculously easy and effortless. I can whip up a batch in less than an hour (including baking time) and sit down to eat them still warm after only about fifteen minutes of cooling time. Although I don’t recommend that if you're looking for a perfectly cut square.
So, in carrying on my Grandmother's tradition, I share with you now, the best brownie recipe of all time.
Made with chopped nuts, vanilla extract, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder
Serves/Makes: 12
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped nuts, optional
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Add the butter to a 9x13 baking dish. Place in the oven to melt.
When melted, remove the pan from the oven and place on a heat-proof surface. Let cool.
Add the sugar to the melted butter and mix well. Stir in the eggs until incorporated.
While stirring, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Mix until blended.
Stir in the vanilla and nuts, if using.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until set in the middle.
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares..
Store the brownies in an airtight container.
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2 comments
July 14, 2005 Jerri, I loved the heartfelt article you wrote about your Grandma. I, too, have an awesome lady who always makes every person whom enters her home something to eat. Her name is Ila Mae Bass, and she is my "Granny" (on my mother's side of the family). How blessed are those who partake of all of the food and taste the love that goes into the pan with all the other ingredients. I will picture a wonderfully joyful, and fortunately, not skinny lady when I try out Grandma Spielman's brownie recipe, and her legacy will live on. On a different note, you were great on "Survivor". Will you pursue an acting career? Best, Tammy Benoit tammy@711online.net
Comment posted by Tammy
Thanks Jerri for a great recipe. I had been looking for something that looked easy enough for even me to try, and this was the one! The brownies were delicious and now, thanks to you, I'm going to gain 10 pounds...(just kidding). Seriously, great recipe, especially for a beginner like me. I have enjoyed reading your columns so far, and I think you have found your nitch here. Keep up the good work. Melanie songchick@juno.com
Comment posted by Melanie
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