The Idyllic Moment

 

So many varieties of chocolate, numerous brands, endless recipes and many, many, many days of celebration throughout the year. It has been said that a day without chocolate is a day without sunshine. So, it can be surmised that on a day when the sun is in hiding, a bit of chocolate will brighten the gloomy mood. Taking both into account, no day should go by without some kind of chocolate! The idyllic moment is the split second when that chocolaty goodness first hits the tip of the tongue.

Chocolate is the best when it melts so creamy and soft in your mouth, then, slowly slides down your throat.

December 8 is...

Brownie Day

 and that doesn't mean Girl Scouts!

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies (Recipe)

Seen recently on a tee shirt ~ EMERGENCY ALERT: If wearer of this shirt is found vacant, listless, or depressed, ADMINISTER CHOCOLATE IMMEDIATELY.

Not that an excuse is really needed, but Brownie Day is a great chance to bake a batch of simply luxurious chocolate brownies. Whether you use a box mix or make them from scratch, just mix them up and get them made! Serve them up with cream, ice cream, toasted nuts or any of your favorite little luxuries to make it the idyllic moment!

A Bit of Brownie History...

Many sources say that brownies originated in New England during the early twentieth century, but there are many variations to the tale.
One story says that a Boston chef mistakenly added melted chocolate to a batch of biscuits, thus creating the first brownies. Another version claims that a housewife in Bangor, Maine was making a chocolate cake but forgot to add baking powder. The cake did not rise properly and, instead of throwing it out, she served it in flat pieces.

Snow-flecked Chocolate Brownies (Recipe)

  Succulent melt-in-your-mouth moist brownies with crunchy nutty goodness. Dust the top with powered sugar for the 'snow-flecked' look.

Dark Chocolate Brownies (Recipe)

  These brownies are for lovers of fudgy dark chocolate. The batter is thick, but it spreads easily into the pan. The ultimate finale? Topping each bar with melting vanilla ice cream and hot fudge.

Orange-Kissed Chocolate Brownies (Recipe)

 A teaspoon of shredded orange peel and a few tablespoons of orange juice add tangy citrus flavor to sweet double-chocolate brownies.

 Chocolate flows in deep dark, sweet waves, a river to ignite my mind and alert my senses.

Peanut Butter Brownies (Recipe)

 Peanut butter and chocolate were made for each other. Give dessert-lovers a preview of what's inside these rich brownies by cutting mini peanut butter cups in half and pressing them into the peanut butter-flavor topping.

Fudgy Cherry and Port Brownies (Recipe)

They may have a tailgating reputation, but chocolate brownies can fit in at an elegant occasion, too. A splash of port and tangy raspberries contribute to the extraordinary flavor in these eat-with-your-pinkies-up brownies.

Incredible Turtle Brownies (Recipe)

With lots of chocolate, homemade caramel sauce, and toasted pecans, this brownie recipe is impossible to resist.

 Chocolate doesn't make the world go around ... but it certainly makes the ride worthwhile!

Marbled Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies (Recipe)

You don't have to wait for fall to enjoy pumpkin. Canned pumpkin puree gives a sweet-tart boost to classic chocolate brownies, adding a gorgeous layer to your baked goodies.

Creme de Menthe Brownies (Recipe)

Finish dinner on a cooling note with a layer of fresh mint filling spread between a dark chocolate brownie and a creamy dark chocolate ganache.

Peanutty Brownie Bars (Recipe)

Layers of semisweet chocolate glaze and sweet peanut butter frosting top this chocolaty peanut-filled brownie.

 Chocolate in the morning is what makes moms get through their day!

 Coffee and Cookie Brownies (Recipe)

A fudgy brownie layer is sandwiched between a crisp sugar cookie crust and melted chocolate pieces. This made-from-mixes recipe tastes fancy but is a cinch to pull together.

Four-Layer Caramel Crunch Brownies (Recipe)

Consider these four layers: homemade fudge brownie, caramel, nougat, and chocolate. Yep—this brownie is as divine as it sounds.

 

White Chocolate Brownies (Recipe)

This recipe comes from the Nantucket Open House Cookbook by Sara Leah Chase. Only the nuts have been changed. Can be made days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, but beware of nibblers.

I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process.... It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?

*****

Is your mouth watering yet?

 

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

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