Brownies

These nut-free brownies were donated to a bake sale to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) in Mahopac, NY in June, 2009.  My daughter tells me they sold out. I hope they find that cure SOON! They’re a favorite at bake sales, if your family doesn’t devour them first. (You may have to hide them.) Find out when  a local charity is hosting one and try these out.

Ingredients:
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. vegetable or canola oil (or 1/2 c. butter and 1/4 c. oil if you love that butter taste)
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. baking powder (NOT soda–soda turns this recipe into something icky)
1 1/3 c. flour (1 cup whole wheat, 1/3 cup white)
1 cup walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9”x13” pan.

If using only oil and no butter, whisk eggs and sugar together; If you are using butter, mix butter and sugar first, then add the eggs.

Add oil, cocoa, and vanilla and mix thoroughly.

In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, then mix into the wet ingredients.

Pour into the pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and comes out clean.

Double (for a party):
8 eggs
4 c. sugar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter plus ½ c. oil
1-1/2 c. cocoa
4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2-1/2 cups flour (2 cups whole wheat, ½ cup white)

I would give you the 9x9 recipe but if there's anyone besides you around, you're going to need the larger pan anyway. But if you want to make a smaller size, use 2/3 to 3/4 the amount of each item.

If you add hash or weed (and never use stems or seeds, just the flowers, please), add it to the butter or oil at the very beginning. That gives it a chance to meld into the mix better.