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!