Bourbon brownies, a decadent treat worth repeat

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We're not big drinkers in this house. In fact the reason this recipe came about was because the same bottle of bourbon had been taking up space in our fridge for three years. Yes, three years! I think we bought it so my husband could make a marinade.

We are more about chocolate than liquor. In other words I would rather eat my alcohol, not drink it. So what to do? Make brownies. Duh!

I've seen recipes for bourbon brownies. But they were either complicated or required what I call a sexy ingredient like imported vanilla extract or something I can't pronounce. Not in this house. We're on a budget.

What you'll need:

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1 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

6 tablespoons butter, softened

2 large eggs

1/4 cup bourbon

1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tbsp cinnamon

a pinch of salt

a greased pan

Pre heat that oven to 350 heat up your bourbon till it comes to a boil and then set aside.

Mix your sugar, flour, cocoa, eggs, salt, cinnamon and butter. Then pour in the bourbon mix, mix, mix. Add in the chips.

It will be a thick, thick mixture. Spread in to your pan and bake for 15 minutes. Then be amazed.

The cinnamon really brings out the bourbon flavor.

Pi day pecan pies

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It's Pi Day fellow nerds. Since I am not celebrating with equations I decided to celebrate with what else? A little Pi Pie. Mini pecan pies, that is.

This recipe yields 24 little pies.

What you'll need: 

• Crust:
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter - softened at room temperature
• Filing:
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

• Preheat your oven to 350 and line your muffin pan. 

In your mixer combine flour, sugar and butter. If you have bread hooks use them. The dough will be clumpy, that's a good thing. 

Press your dough in to the cups. Slide in the oven and bake 10 minutes.

While that is baking get started on your filling. 

Beat eggs on a low setting and add in syrup and sugar, slowly. Mix in butter an vanilla. Once thoroughly mixed stir in pecans.

Remove dough from oven and por mixture into cups. Each cup should be 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. These are so, so, so yummy.

Polka Dot Blondie

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I am trying to be healthier. The cup cake I just ate whilst standing over the sink during my baby's nap time would indicate otherwise. But hey, it's a slow process.

Since I am beginning my foray into baking I decided to scour the earth for a blondie recipe that wouldn't leave my little arteries aching. Unfortunately (or unfortch as my friend Sarah Jane Jones would say) many recipes out there leave the bars too light, too dense, too dry or too gross.

But if you tweak this flour and add that flour and do this and not that you will get a delicious and somewhat healthier alternative to a regular blondie. I say somewhat because this recipe still contains butter, sugar and chocolate. Although it is dark, and that should count for something... I'm just saying. **If you are opposed to butter see the foot note below.

Also, at around $3 for the entire recipe this is great for a party, bakes ale, or to eat over the sink during nap time. No judgements here.

What you'll need:

1 cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup white flour
2 cup oats
A pinch Kosher sale
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 cup milk (that is two tbsp)

One bag chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 and grease up your pan. In a bowl mix together your dry ingredients. Slowly add the melted butter and milk while stirring. Add the egg and continue to stir until smooth. If your mix is clumpy add another tbsp of milk. Once everything is mixed, stir in the chocolate chips and slide in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes.

** If you don't want to use butter, substitute a cup of applesauce and four tablespoons of oil. But, only use 1/2 cup brown sugar. I can not attest to what this will taste like.