So I spent yesterday afternoon and evening mixing up three different brownie recipes in order to pit them against each other in a taste test. This is the second such dessert taste test we’ve hosted from the Lazy W, and it is great fun for all. I am so thankful for friends and colleague who will suffer through the nibbling and finger-slurping in order to find a champion recipe. Y’all are the best. Martyrs, all.
Okay. Here are the three recipes I used, along with weak photos of each brownie pan. Let me stress that they all tasted way better than these photos might suggest. Please visit the original websites for gorgeous visuals!
1. Oatmeal Pecan Brownie Bars: The first was pretty simple, just basically a fancied up box mix. Here is the recipe site: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/oatmeal-brownies/7b8043a3-8fa3-4cd1-a404-d4ebcfc7d311 This contains both oats and pecans, so you might even get away with calling it a healthy energy bar rather than a brownie. Oh, and eggs too. They give you protein, right? This was fast and easy to assemble and also easy to cut. They do not require refrigeration either, so that’s a plus.
2. Mocha Mousse Brownies: This recipe was the most complex of the three and also the most fun to tackle. Between the mocha brownie base and gelatin-cream cheese-mocha frosting, it has more ingredients in it than most four course meals I serve here at the farm. The detailed recipe is right here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mocha-mousse-brownies I followed it to a tee and am so glad. The finished product is spectacular. This does require refrigeration, so keep that in mind if you make it. Also, I think the reason my frosting looks a bit coddled is that I walked away from it for a few minutes. I should have spread it on the brownies immediately upon folding it together, so if you avoid that mistake yours will probably look prettier.
3. Old Fashioned Brownie with Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting: This attempt was full of detours, but I was so happy with the combo I settled on. It is a made-from-scratch old-fashioned fudge brownie base found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-brownies/ topped with a pretty darn scrumptious sour cream-chocolate frosting, recipe found at the bottom of the following page, below the cupcake info: http://loopgum.com/2010/04/21/food-chocolate-cupcakes-with-milk-chocolate-sour-cream-frosting/
Yum.
So today these three brownies are making their way in little brown paper sacks to discerning, chocolate-loving taste buds all over Oklahoma City. Kind of perfect for a snow day I think. My sweet Father in law has already tasted his samples, made his written comments, and cast his vote for “favorite.” Since he helped me water the big animals in single digit temps, he might get two of each. I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone else says. Please check back here in a couple of days for the results!
In the mean time, since I licked clean half the spoons and bowls from last night (Handsome took care of the other half), I’m experiencing a bit of a sugar rush. So if you need me I will be on the elliptical machine for the next eight to nine hours.
If you’re buried in snow, fan those arms and legs and make an angel!
Happy snacking, friends. Happy loving. Happy life.
XOXOXOXO
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