Recession Brownies

I get a lot of pleasure out of baking; I know it’s therapeutic and allows me to reconnect to my nurturing spirit. I know I have a passion for baking and for chocolate and when I combine the two; things are alright in the world again. I’ve decided to add a post today in connection with the economy and the negative effects that it’s having in my life.

I went for, what I thought was my first day of training,” with a bank here in Atlanta through a staffing agency (we won’t divulge their name at this point), I arrived at least 20 minutes early and when I went to get checked in I was advised that the training had been cancelled.

I was in complete shock of this news and at first didn’t quite know how to process it emotionally. Normally, I’m able to shake off negativity after spiritual guidance and speaking with a friend, for some reason this time it just wasn’t quite helping with me processing the events of the negativity I’d experienced at the mercy of the staffing agency.

So, since the first two strategies didn’t help I decided on a third and that is to combine my chocolate passion with my baking passion and mix up some brownies.

I had a box of brownie mix in the cupboard (kept at all times, just for this type of emergency). Having them in the pantry just in case the need comes to sooth the savage beast…lol!!!

I’ve prepared my brownies and just the smell is lifting my spirit.

However, here’s another reason to have brownies on hand:
Why Your Heart Loves Hershey’s

Something about eating chocolate . . . it has such an instant feel-good effect. And it turns out there’s a reason to feel good.

Research suggests that special antioxidants in cocoa may play a role in keeping blood pressure low.

Sweet Truths About Chocolate
Cocoa flavonoids help to widen and relax blood vessels and may activate an enzyme that helps lower blood pressure, too. But remember to be calorie wise: A little bit of chocolate goes a long way. And dark chocolate is best. Just in case you need a few more reasons to eat chocolate, here’s more good stuff:
Chocolate can smooth your skin. Find out how a daily dose of cocoa can make skin better hydrated and less sun sensitive.
Chocolate makes you happy. It’s not just your imagination. Find out what makes chocolate a good-mood food.

Mmmmm…the brownies are calling my name…I’ll see ya!

Seven-Layer Cookie Bars

Seven-Layer Cookie Bars,Seven-Layer Cookie Bars,Seven-Layer

Cuisine: Dessert Snack

A Baker’s Dozen of Christmas Cookies — Day 1

My daughter needs to earn her cooking badge for Girl Scouts this year, I’m very excited she’s got a head start on her cooking skills but I wanted her to bake something that would require very minimum supervision. I found this recipe at AJC.com, according to the article “these are the easiest bars you’ll ever make.” Let the baking begin. For a change, substitute peanut butter chips and peanuts for the butterscotch chips and pecans.
– Meridith Ford Goldman

Hands on time: 15 minutes  Total time: 2 hours and 20 minutes  Serves: Makes 40 bars

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
1 (12-ounce) package milk chocolate chips
1 (12-ounce) package butterscotch chips
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Spray sides of 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray. Pour butter into pan. Sprinkle crumbs evenly on butter, then pat them down to even out. Sprinkle semisweet, milk chocolate and butterscotch chips evenly over crumbs. Sprinkle with coconut, then nuts. Pour milk over layers. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until mixture bubbles and browns on top. Let cool on a rack; cut into squares.

Nutrition:

Per bar: 219 calories (percent of calories from fat, 22 percent), 14 grams fat (9 grams saturated fat), 2 grams protein, 22 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 11 milligrams cholesterol, 70 milligrams sodium

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