Thursday, August 28, 2008

It was supposed to be a pan of brownies.

Ya'll. For two days I have been trying to make brownies.

I'm using the same recipe I've used for 6 years or so. The recipe I know like the back of my hand BUT still keep the cookbook open just in case.

Wednesday, I opened the door of my oven to find a very flat brownie type "thing" filling my dish. I let Emma do the toothpick test, and it came out clean, but these brownies did NOT look like MY brownies.

My sweet little Emma said, "I'll taste them mommy, how bad can they be?" Well.....

She said she like them because they were not to sweet. I figured since Emma had tried it, I might as well.

The taste was...well....it sort of tasted like a brownie. Just flat. These things were just a little thicker than a pancake. I am NOT kidding.

I dumped the entire dish in the garbage. (And can I just tell you that the sucker slid out of the baking dish in ONE PIECE. Nice.)

Chad came home expecting brownies and ice cream for dessert and bless his heart...he tried not to laugh when I explained what had happened. He suggested that maybe I used the unsweetened cocoa instead of the the regular cocoa. I didn't realize we had unsweetened cocoa in the cabinet so assumed that was the problem. (I don't know why that would have affected whether or not my brownies were fluffy or flat..but hey....as hard as I try I am just not gifted in the culinary arts.)

So today...today I woke up and decided to conquer the brownie.

I pull out the trusty (trusty until now) recipe and gather ALL my ingredients. I measured and then I re-measured. I read every label to "be sure". I had Emma read the directions WHILE I CREAMED, MIXED and poured. I just knew that today would be the day that I, the culinary challenged would conquer that brownie recipe. I've done it in the past and I could do it again.

Into the oven they went and oh they smelled wonderful! THAT didn't happen yesterday by the way. So anyway...the timer went off. I slowly opened the oven door expecting to see beautiful fluffy, moist brownies. The kind of brownies that would make Chadwick rise and call me blessed.

Wrong.

Flat.

Black.

Dry.

Gross brownies.

Emma said it best..."Mom, those aren't brownies. They are blackies."

Friday when I go to the store, I'll be purchasing the box mix, WITH the Ghiradella Chocolate.

Let's just keep this to ourselves okay?

10 comments:

Dorothy Champagne said...

I am right there with you - baking is not a skill I was blessed with - in part because my kids sapped away all my brain power and I can never remember how long it's been in the oven. However, found this easy recipe for you - Good Luck on your quest for the perfect brownie... - or just an edible one :)

INGREDIENTS

* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup sugar
* 4 eggs
* 1 (16 ounce) can chocolate syrup
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate syrup. Beat in flour and salt until blended.
2. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (brownies may appear moist). Cool on a wire rack.

Jess said...

I am with ya.
I don't know what it is with me and baking... it's just so much more precise than cooking. Thank goodness for boxed mixes!! :) I've got a box of Ghirardelli brownie mix calling my name from the cupboard as I speak! Mmmmmm...

Profbaugh said...

Ok, thanks, Steph. Now I want brownies, flat, dark, burned. . it doesn't matter. I WANT brownies NOW!!!!

Oh my, I've got to stop reading blogs late at night (or is that early in the morning??).

P.S. Miss ya bunches.

Love ya girlfriend,
~Cheryl

Darlene R. said...

Um... I use box brownies ALL THE TIME!!!
Kudos to you for even trying to make them from scratch :)

Donna @ Way More Homemade said...

Stephanie... did you get a SIesta cookbook? My killer brownie recipe is in there. No recipe compares. I've not made a boxed brownie in 4 years. This recipe changed my brownie lovin' life. It's fool proof (not that you are a fool or anything) and perfect everytime I've ever made them... which is a lot.

IF not, email me and I can send it to you.

Since you have a recipe that has worked for you in the past... did you change what pan you're using? Different oven?

~Donna

Anonymous said...

Bless your heart! I just go for the store bought Betty Crocker boxed brownies! How cute is your daughter:)

Anonymous said...

Mmmm...Publix had the Ghiradelli brownie mix on sale this week. 2 for $4. Almost got one myself!

Patty said...

Girlfriend,
The only brownies I make come out of a box BUT what I make them in makes all the difference. In fact, I may have to post a pic on my blog for you. :)

It is a silicone pan in the shape of a power T in the color of orange. No, I'm not kidding or should I say that I see your surprised look on your sweet face?!LOL

This pan is amazing and my sons tell me that they are the best brownies ever!

If I find another one I am going to mail it to you!!

Miss you!!
Love,
Patty

p.s. this time last week we were getting ready to have our p.j. party.

Anonymous said...

There really are some brownies called blackies! They are made with dark chocolate and coffee! Cute blog :-). -Haley

Heather said...

So sorry about the brownies! I hate it when we're all hungry and ready for something and then it doesn't turn out. (It happened to me last week, too!) I always just use a brownie mix- to me they are just as good if not better!