Brownie Extravaganza

I woke up this morning and I just wanted to bake, so that’s what I did. Below are my two favorite brownie recipes.

These chocolate brownies will be world famous after this blog hits the big time.

Glossy Chocolate Brownies
Brownies:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 self rising flour
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt chocolate and shortening in large saucepan (one that’s tough enough to take a beating with a hand mixer) over low heat. Remove from heat. Mix in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in greased 13x9x2 pan. Bake 30 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.

Icing:
3 tablespoons shortening
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt shortening and chocolate in saucepan (one that’s tough enough to take a beating with a hand mixer) over low heat. Stir in remaining ingredients; beat until smooth. Place pan of frosting in bowl of ice; continue beating until of spreading consistency. Spread frosting over warm brownies. Allow frosting to set and cut into squares.

______________________________________________________

These peanut butter brownies aren't too shabby either.

Peanut Butter Brownies
Brownies:
3 eggs
1 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 self rising flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Filling:
2 packages (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk

In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, butter and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Set aside 1 cup for topping. Spread remaining batter into a greased 13x9x2 pan.

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar until smooth. Add egg and milk, beating on low until combined. Carefully spread over batter. Drop reserved batter by tablespoonfuls over filling. Cut through batter with a knife to swirl.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Allow to cool then cut into squares.

Enjoy!

Don't judge me....

My most recent trip to OU was chock full of fun, friends, football, and food!

FRIDAY:
Friday afternoon we went to buy Mary's birthday present at Hallmark. Erin and I proceeded to sneak around the store trying to avoid this girl that we don't like. She's weird. Friday night I ate dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant - Tarahumara's. I enjoyed the cheesy chimichanga while Erin and my new friend Elisa ate a more healthy entree. Kudos to them.

SATURDAY:
Saturday morning we got ready for the game, I wore standard game attire. OU t-shirt, jeans and comfy shoes. I was wrong about the shoes. Saturday afternoon while at the Ruf-Neck tailgate (because Erin has cool friends), I discovered that my 'comfy' shoes were literally sawing my feet in half. So Erin and I went to the OU bookstore to buy flip flops. We couldn't find any OU flip flops so to ease my suffering I grabbed a pair of Croc flip flops. There I said it, it's out in the open, no denying it. I now own a pair of Crocs. They are ugly as sin, but they are pretty darn comfy. It's a little bit like walking on Jell-O. Weird. Well after the shoe crisis of 2007 was over I had a fantastic time at the football game! We sang, we chanted, we cheered, we practically sat on each others laps. It was so much fun! Saturday night we went out to The Mont with OSU Kelsey and Erin's circle of friends. I think Erin put it best when she said it was a smooth transition between old and new friends. They are great! I feel like a girls road trip is definitely in the future. On our way out of The Mont Erin gets into a scuffle with some girl wearing a shirt Erin had declared inappropriate. She was later reprimanded by the same girl for said declaration. Don't judge her either.

SUNDAY:
Sunday morning we went to a birthday lunch for Mary with Grandpa, Sam, Andrea, Theo, and Kyle. My present to Mary was butter cookies. She seemed to really enjoy the cookies but not nearly as much as Theo who promptly stole Mary's first cookie and proceeded to eat the entire thing. It was bigger than his face! Don't judge him either. They are darn good cookies. During the birthday lunch I throw an elbow which took out the waitress who dropped a full glass on Kyle's salad bowl after he took the first bite. Glass flew. After the wet glass show that I provided as the meal's entertainment we all shared a roundabout of apple cobbler. It was very tasty. Then we all said our good-byes, and I road off into the sunset.

It really was a fantastic weekend!

Enjoy!

Great Expectations!

My newest favorite discovery is Jergen's Ultra Healing lotion. I am very critical of moisturizers and I always have high expectations. Let me tell you this lotion is fantastic! It's not greasy at all. It's very long lasting, and goes on smoothly. It has a delicate scent that does not react with my perfume. I highly recommend this lotion for the coming winter season.
Enjoy!