 |
I am not sure where to start. So much has happened since my last post. First of all, the Hurricane named Sandy. Such an ill-fitting name for a disastrous monster that it was. I am still waiting for messages from few of our friends from the East Coast. Those bloggers and real-life. The images are truly heartbreaking. There is not enough words to express what we are feeling….
It’s November and a lot of you have jumped into holidays already. It’s hard to be joyful and cheerful when a lot of people have lost everything. But we have to try. Because that’s what holidays are also about. The new hope and wishes and finding happiness in what we have and being thankful for it.
Second, I am happy to say that my new computer is on it’s way and soon I should be back to my normal blogging schedule. I am trying to visit your blogs to see what you are up to and leave comments and truly appreciate your messages and emails asking how we are doing.
Even though it is Monday night when I am typing this, I still want to share with you my latest brownie adventure.
It fits perfectly with the holiday theme. These bites would be a perfect addition to your party menu. They are also very portable so you can take them with you and go spread the cheer! With something chocolatey in your hands, you are bound to receive smiles in return. 
The sprinkles are totally optional. Actually, my Hubby requested few with sea salt on top. Do I even have to say… BRILLIANT!
These bites are moist and slightly chewy. It is easy to over bake them due to their mini form, so as soon as you will see the edges pull away from the sides of the pan, take them out of the oven and coll for few minutes in the pan. Then pop them out to cool completely on a wire rack.
They are easy to whip up and all you need is one bowl and a whisk. You are just few moments away from enjoying a brownie goodness in it’s most adorable form yet!
One thing I have been slightly obsessed with recently is adding almond extract when baking with chocolate, instead vanilla. I recommend trying it. It takes the flavors to a whole new level!
Brownie bites dressed up with chocolate glaze and sprinkles - a perfect addition to your holiday party menu.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c unsalted butter
- 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 c packed brown sugar
- 1/4 c granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract ( or 1 tsp vanilla extract )
- 3/4 c all-purpose flour
- 1/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a mini muffin pan. Set aside.
- Over a double boiler, melt chocolate chips and butter. Take of the simmering water when only few streaks of chocolate are left. Whisk until smooth. Let cool.
- Add sugar and cocoa powder ( sifted straight over the bowl of melted chocolate ) and whisk again.
- Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk well after each addition.
- Add salt and almond extract. Whisk again.
- Sift flour over the bowl and fold in until no streaks of flour remain.
- Scoop into prepared pan.
- Bake 13 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick shows few moist crumbs. It's good to pull them out of the oven as soon as the edges appear baked and pull away from the sides of pan.
- Cool brownie bites in the pan for about 2 minutes, then transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the glaze by melting together the remaining chocolate chips and butter. Whisk until smooth. Dunk each brownie bite tops down into chocolate. Sprinkle with sprinkles or sea salt while the glaze is still wet. Let set.
Notes
I highly recommend trying almond extract instead of vanilla extract. It adds a nice unexpected nutty flavor to brownies. You can sprinkle them with sea salt for addition of crunch to every bite!
Are you excited for the holidays? Have you started the preparations already?
xoxo,
Anna
|