Brownies are my son’s favorite snack. Full of chocolaty goodness, they can be chewy, gooey or cake like. Brownies can also have other ingredients such as carmel, nuts, cream cheese, peanut butter and other yummy goodies that are only limited by one’s imagination. Blondies are brownies without the chocolate. Brownies are often served as desserts or snacks, but we think they are best warm from the oven served with ice cream ( a la mode).

The brownie made it’s first public appearance during the 1893 Columbian Exposition. A chef at the Palmer Hotel created the small chocolate cake at the request of Bertha Palmer. She wanted a dessert for the ladies attending the fair that would be smaller than a piece of cake, and easily eaten from boxed lunches. These brownies featured an apricot glaze and were filled with walnuts, and they are still being baked at the hotel according to the original recipe.

Young bakers who are just learning how to bake usually start with brownie recipes. Boxed brownie kits are readily available in the supermarkets and are quick and easy. Usually, these mixes require eggs, water and perhaps some vegetable oil. It is best to pre-treat the pan with Pam or grease to prevent sticking. It is best to remove the pan from the oven when the edges are pulling away from the edge. Sometimes the toothpick may still come back moist when inserted in the middle. Depending on if you like the more cake like brownie or the chewy brownie will also determine the cooking time.

Brownies can be served with ice cream, whipped cream or be frosted.

There are also some brownie recipes that can be made in the microwave.

The new perfect brownie pan helps take the guess work on when the perfect brownie is done by making each brownie bake evenly so that each brownie has the crispy edge and the chewy center.