Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Chocolate Dessert #191

Last night was Brownie Tuesday night. for those who don't know (and maybe don't care), a Brownie Tuesday is a brownie topped with vanilla or butterscotch pudding and whipped cream. I generally use boxed brownie mix, because the kids like it better than scratch brownies, and, of course, it's a lot less work. However, in my endeavor to use Mark's new cookbook, I found these. 10 minutes from start to finished product, folks, and the oven doesn't even get turned on. What's not to love?

MICROWAVE BROWNIES (Dessert #191)

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla exgtract
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Line an 8" square glass pan with waxed paper.

Beat the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla at high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the mixer down, and beat in the cocoa powder, then the flour. Stir in the pecans.

If your microwave has a turntable (like mine), microwave at high power for 5 to 6 minutes. Otherwise, cook for 3 minutes, turn 90 degrees, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. These will test done with a toothpick, just like in conventional baking. The flavor was excellent, although if you overcook even by 30 seconds, the edges will be quite crunchy. They will, however, soften overnight, if you wrap the brownies in plastic wrap.

Paula, you might be able to substitute a mixture of non-gluten flour and cornstarch to make these work for your baby. I suspect rice flour doesn't have much flavor, and I'd replace a couple of tablespoons of the rice flour with cornstarch just to lighten it up a touch. It would be worth a try, right?

Happy Earth Day, everyone; go plant a tree, or at least admire one!

11 comments:

The Blonde Duck said...

Think of all the Earth Day joy because you didn't turn on the oven! Great brownies!

SissySees said...

Might have to try those!

Christo Gonzales said...

great day for earth day - and a brownie to boot!

buffalodick said...

Brownies... is there even a downside? :)

Pam said...

Perfect recipe for those hot days when you don't want to turn on the oven. The brownies look divine!

pam said...

Easy peasy brownies! I love the plate.

noble pig said...

Wow, microwave brownies are summer's perfect food.

monica said...

Bundy and I will have to come and stay with you for a while in your corner of the world - and get fed. yummy... :o) as your place so often is so crowded, you probably won't notice us mingeling in...

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

It doesn't get much better for the baker than easy brownies like these! YUM!

Maris said...

This sounds like it would be dangerous for me to make! :) Looks delicious.

Paula said...

I love the contrast of the dark brownie with the powdered sugar. YUM! I tried a gluten free brownie mix and it actually was pretty good. It had a mix of multiple alternative flours, and it took a long time to bake. The entire family enjoyed it, just as I bet your family loved this dessert! And that it is microwaved ... cool!