BARACK, BOATING AND BROWNIES



Wow! What a night! Barack has been my main man since the Democratic Convention in 2004 and last night, he proved he IS presidential. Barack and Biden are the ticket to take this great country of ours forward.

As for the boating, some dear friends of ours have a boat (no, dah!) and have included us in a day sail tomorrow. We are so looking forward to going and being on the waterway... nothing prettier than the Intracoastal Waterway in Charleston - a sense of freedom and beauty!

Oh and the brownies... I asked what could I bring and they wanted the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Mousse Brownies. Of course, I am happy to oblige. The recipe follows below.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BROWNIES

  • 1 Stick Butter
  • 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 2/3 cups of sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (if desired)
MOUSSE TOPPING
  • 3/4 cup whipping cream
  • 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 13 x 9 inch metal pan, place a sheet of tin foil. Grease and flour the foil. Set aside.
Heat butter and chocolate chips in a 3 quart mixing bowl. I do this in microwave. Stir until blended. (Cool slightly) Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Do not over mix.
Pour into prepared pan.

Prepare mousse topping. Heat cream and chocolate chips in microwave and stir until slightly cool. Beat in remaining ingredients until foamy.

Pour mousse topping over brownie batter. Bake 45 minutes; cool 2 hours before cutting.
Cut into 2 inch squares.


Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend - let us all pause to remember why we are celebrating this holiday here in the USA.

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake and Good Friends


Many, many years ago, I belonged to a cooking group - about 15 ladies of all cooking talent levels. We met every month or so and "taught" each other how to cook. More than cooking, it was a lot of laughs, a lot of conversation and a lot of growing up together. One of the members was my sister-in-law, Louisa, who shared this tried and true recipe for Buttermilk Chocolate Cake. It has become a favorite of our dear friend JC and on the occasion of his leaving for Brazil for a month he requested that I make it for him and other good friends who came for supper last night. So I did and am now sharing with you! (This was the last piece so I hid it for the photo).

BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE CAKE
  • 2 Sticks of Butter
  • 1 Cup of Water
  • 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 Cups Sugar
  • 3 1/2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 Cup Buttermilk
  • 2 Eggs Beaten
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a 13 x 9 inch metal baking pan.
Heat butter and water in microwave until butter is completely melted.
In the bowl of a stand-up mixer, combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder and salt.
Pour the butter/water mixture over and mix well.
Combine the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and baking soda. Mix well with a fork or whisk.
Pour over the mixture in the mixing bowl and mix until well blended. Medium speed is fine.
Pour into prepared pan and bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Will be done when top springs back. Do not overcook.

BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE ICING

While the cake is baking, make the icing.
  • 1 stick melted butter
  • 3 1/2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder
  • 1 Box 10X Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/3 Cup Buttermilk

Beat in stand up mixer until well combined.

When cake is done, remove from oven and immediately spread frosting on top.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream.




ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES


Today is the first day of my posting for this blog. Wish me luck!
I have a dear friend in the hospital and I know these will cheer him up.

This recipe is my very own for the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie - truly crispy.


Pre-heat oven to 385 degrees
  • 2 Sticks of Real Butter - Softened
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 Eggs - at room temp.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 Cup White Rice Flour
  • 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1 Cup Toasted Pecans (if desired)

Mix butter and sugars together until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat together.
In a separate vessel, mix flours, baking soda and salt. Add to butter/sugar mixture.
Add chocolate chips and pecans - just mix in until incorporated.

Place in oven and immediately turn the heat down to 350 degrees and bake for 10-12 mins. Half way through the baking process - rap the sheets on the counter to remove any air. Will be done when they are slightly brown on the top.

Remove from oven and cool on wire racks and WOW!!!


About Me

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Mother/Step-Mother of 5 (Blended family), Grandmother of 9 precious grandchildren - 7 stateside and 2 in London. Cooking is my passion and stress release, Lived in the Charleston, SC area all my life, love to travel to England and Italy.
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