We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Monday, July 12, 2010

Cookie Recipe #191 -Mississippi Mud Brownies


Marshmallow and chocolate-the winning combo for today's cookie recipe. I tried a piece when it was still warm - oolala!! A scoop of ice cream on the side would be a likable addition.

Ingredients: 4 eggs, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (2 sticks)butter, melted, 1 cup chopped pecans (I made mine without nuts), 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme, 3 tablespoons butter, softened, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, 2-3 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. In large mixing bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Gradually beat in sugar and vanilla. In separate bowl, stir together flour, cocoa and salt; add alternately with melted butter to egg mixture. Blend well. Stir in pecans, if using.

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. While brownies are baking, prepare frosting as follows: In small mixing bowl, beat butter. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk; beat to spreading consistency. Blend in vanilla; set aside.

When brownies are done, remove from oven to heatproof surface. Immediately spread marshmallow creme gently over top with spatula or back of spoon. Spread frosting gently over warm marshmallow creme; swirl lightly for marbled effect. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Makes about 24 brownies.

"Hershey's Homemade", Hershey Foods Corporation, 1991.

Cookies Rule!!!

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