An Oven That Never Goes Out

About author / Rebecca Michaels

Queen of the desserts and pastry chef extraordinaire; graduate French Culinary Institute; Golden Scoop Award winner; Flying Monkey Bakery founder

I confess I am a secret singing sensation.  I sing in the car, in the shower, when I'm on hold with the cable company.  I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from singing out loud with my headphones on while trotting down the street. And of course I sing when I bake.

Working by yourself can be a real downer sometimes. Without the company of fellow humans during the day, sometimes I tune into my favorite talk radio stations. And sometimes I talk to my cats.  But honestly, they're not the best conversationalists. It drives me crazy that they never actually can answer a question directly!

To say I 'sing' when I'm working--whether it's brainstorming ideas for a new client or baking my husband Adam's favorite cookies--would be an understatement. I perform. I am The Philadelphian Idol. Well, maybe not, but I bop around the kitchen, shakin' it while I measure sugar, frost a cake, or look through a cookbook, all the while belting out my favorite lines, singing for my supper.  I. AM. ON.

My favorite type of music to work to is both adoringly and pejoratively  called "twee," a style of whimsical song writing dedicated to beautiful, lush melodies backed by skilled musicians and witty lyrics dedicated to the follies and foibles of daily existence, like sitting at the laundromat checking out the locals or just hanging out on a midweek midmorning. The music is light, fun and pretty. I find it loosens me up. Sometimes it brings me out of the solitary trenches or out of the humdrum ubiquity of Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting. It can get a little boring once you've made hundreds of Chocolate Chocolate cakes. Go figure.

Without getting into too much psychological blather, it's clear that music has a creative effect on the brain. Most studies have involved classical and baroque music and most researchers agree that listening to these types of music while working enhances creativity and increases productivity.  

Personally speaking, I know that music is my creative muse.  Probably it's the rush of endorphins and adrenalin that I experience simply because I enjoy it that helps me to be a better, more energetic baker. I truly believe that.  And the choice of musical stimuli is of course an entirely personal one. My husband would be driven crazy while trying to work to my music.  "I cling to the belief that the right combination of circumstances fill everybody with boundless energy and creativity from time to time," says Sarah of Belle & Sebastian on their band's website.

I think that this style of music reflects and inspires my work.  It is indeed art encouraging art. I would like to think that the likes of bands like B & S and The Lucksmiths reflect my personal style of baking--fun, approachable and sweet. So, I would like to dedicate my super-secret famous brownie recipe to all of my musical friends who keep me sane during those long, hot hours in my kitchen.  Hopefully Judy's Brownies will be a platinum hit in your home.  

Bop around. Croon away to your own favorites. Don't worry, no one's  looking. And you know what, who cares if they are? You're opening up your creative energies and everyone benefits from that.

Serves/Makes: 2 pans

• 3 cups sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cup cocoa powder ("brut" or extra dark if you can find it)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 8 ounces butter
• 8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
• 6 eggs

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• 1 tablespoon Scotch, mixed with
• 2 tablespoons hot water

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• 2 1/2 cups milk, bittersweet, semisweet, white chocolate chips or a mix, reserve 1/3 cup for the top
• 6 ounces toasted walnuts, pecans or a mix