Yesterday we had Chichi’s birthday celebration in her classroom. It was very simple because we had already done the big party on Wednesday with her friends. So yesterday was a presentation on her life followed by juice and brownies. Lu and Dinho came to the party too. When Lu got there he walked right into the classroom where the kids were playing “beat the calculator” and sat right on Chichi’s lap. It was the cutest thing ever.
When the kids finished we showed the presentation which embarrassed Chi a little as I thought it might and then we sang happy birthday. When we started to serve the cake Lu was right in there grabbing plates to put brownies on (he is not yet 3). The teacher could not believe it. He is so funny some times. Anyway, I have the best brownie recipe ever and the kids loved them. There was only one problem. When I made them the night before, I only had 6 eggs. So I could only make one batch. That meant that there was one per kid, no leftovers, and Dinho and I went without. On the way home we stopped to buy eggs so I could make more for our family!
Here is the recipe for the best brownies ever – the only thing I do differently is add the eggs one by one and beat well after each addition:
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Let soften: 1/2 lb. butter (don’t melt it)
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Melt: 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate. Let cool.
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Cream the butter with 1 3/4 cups (packed) light brown or white sugar and 5 eggs. Add 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Beat in the melted, cooled chocolate and 1 cup flour.
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Spread into a buttered 9×13″ baking pan. Bake 20-30 minutes (hs note: mine took 30) at 350 degrees.
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Optional: chopped nuts, or 1 tablespoon instant coffee, or 1 teaspoon grated fresh orange or lemon rind, or 1/2 teaspoon allspice or cinnamon, or a mashed over-ripe banana, or none of the above.