Can't Wait

Julie and Julia opens August 7.

My Cupcake is Staring at Me

Boy... what a pair, eh?

Most Dangerous Cake Recipe in the World

Sent to me by a friend... I'll try it and let you know how it turns out...

FIVE MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large microwaveable coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.


Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT!

This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous.

Why is it the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Crunch Brownies

I made a few adjustments to the original recipe found at Eat Me, Delicious. The original recipe called for fewer chocolate chips—I made the mistake of melting all the chips at the beginning, so I’ve now separated them out into two parts in the recipe. As one friend said to me, “More chocolate is always better.”

I also changed the name of the recipe, because some people felt I should warn those that are not into peanut butter that it is in there.

The original recipe also called for 3x3-inch bars—WAY too big for a recipe this rich. Smaller works better. But it’s gooey when it’s cut (like that’s a bad thing), so use a sharp knife. I will probably add parchment paper below in the future so it comes out easier—it will probably cut better, too.

Everyone seems to really enjoy the mixture of textures. Crunchy + gooey + chewy = AWESOME!

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Crunch Brownies

Yield: 48 1.5x1.5-inch bars

Brownie Ingredients:
4 ounces Unsweetened Chocolate
5 oz. (or 2/3 cup or 1 1/4 sticks) Unsalted Butter, divided
1 1/4 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
6 oz. (or 1 1/3 cups) All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 large Eggs, room temperature
2 cups Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips


Topping Ingredients:
1 package (10 1/2 ounces) Mini Marshmallows
1 1/2 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup Smooth Peanut Butter
1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

• Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. (I would recommend using parchment paper below to make it easier to remove (the marshmallows make it very sticky getting it out of the pan).


• In a medium saucepan, melt the Chocolate, Butter, and the Semisweet Chocolate Chips on medium heat.


• Stir occasionally while melting.


• Set aside and cool for 5 minutes.


• In a medium bowl, sift the Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt.


• Set aside.

In a large bowl, place the Eggs and whisk thoroughly.

Add in the Sugar and Vanilla.

Stir the melted ingredients into the egg mixture, mixing well.

Stir in the dry sifted ingredients and mix well.

Fold in the second batch of Semisweet Chocolate Chips.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and even with a spatula.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the corner of the pan comes out with moist crumbs.

Remove the brownies from the oven, and immediately sprinkle the marshmallows over them.

Return the pan to the oven for 3 more minutes.

While the brownies are baking, place the Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter, and Butter in a medium saucepan.

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until melted.

Remove from heat, add the Rice Krispies,and mix well.

Allow this to cool for 3 minutes or so.

Spread the mixture evenly over the marshmallow layer.

Refrigerate until chilled before cutting.

Original recipe found at Eat Me, Delicious

It's Outrageous (but not really)

So, the other day, I'm pluggin' around the internets and I found an interesting blog called Eat Me, Delicious. She's a vegetarian (I know... "EWW!"), but loves to bake (so all is forgiven).

She had a recipe for "Outrageous Oreo Crunch Brownies", which are brownies with chopped Oreo cookies baked in. They looked good and all the reviews were fan-freakin'-tastic, so I had to bake them.

They're good... but I wouldn't call them fan-freakin'-tastic. I would just call them good. Everyone at work likes them, but they like anything that is free. It wasn't a difficult recipe, but my kitchen was a mess afterwards--lots of bowls and pans in use.

All-in-all, I probably won't put this into rotation as something to bake for friends. However, her "Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars" on the other hand, could be something special.

I'll let you know.

For those of you who would like to try the "Outrageous Oreo Crunch Brownies", here's the recipe:

Outrageous Oreo Crunch Brownies

2 sticks (1 cup) Butter
1/2 pound Semisweet Chocolate Chips
3 ounces Unsweetened Chocolate, chopped
3 Eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons Instant Coffee Granules
1 tablespoons Vanilla
1 cup + 2 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 cup Flour
1/2 tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 cups chopped Oreo Cookies (25 cookies)
2 Tbsp Flour

• Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°F.


• Butter and flour a 9"x13" baking pan.


• In a heatproof medium bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, heat butter, chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate until melted and smooth.


• Allow to cool slightly.


• In a large bowl, whisk eggs, coffee, vanilla and sugar.


• Blend chocolate mixture into egg mixture; cool to room temperature.


• In a medium bowl, sift together the ½ cup flour, baking powder and salt.


• Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture.


• In a small bowl, stir Oreos and remaining 2 tablespoons flour.


• Add Oreo mixture to chocolate mixture.


• Pour batter into baking pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula.


• Bake 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted 3 inches from center comes out clean;


• do not overbake.


• Allow to cool. Refrigerate, tightly wrapped, until cold; cut into squares.

Bon Appetit!

The REAL Peridic Table

To a baker, it's the one that matters. Thanks to Woman's Day (recipes f0r each).

Paul Rudd: Man on Man Kiss

My love for Paul continues...