Love this blog post

I stumbled on Joy the Baker's blog today.  I love her sense of humor and also her great recipes.  I happened upon this entry about impressing a boy with baking. It's true, boys love it when you bake for them.

Sadly this is something I've fallen out of habit of doing. I just need to unearth the motivation for me to get off my lazy, geeky ass and get back in the kitchen to bake.  I love that I'm able to make something delicious out of a few ingredients (usually) and make someone happy when they eat it.

From my research, almost all geeky boys cannot resist yummy brownies.  The recipe that is in my arsenal is below.  It's not my recipe, I think I found it on Food Gawker, but I don't remember the blog I got it from.  It's amazing.  I've had nothing but rave reviews every time I make them.

Fudge Brownies
Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour

    * 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
    * 2 1/4 cups sugar
    * 4 large eggs
    * 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
    * 1 teaspoon salt
    * 1 teaspoon baking powder
    * 1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
    * 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    * 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    * 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9×13 baking dish.

2. In small saucepan over low heat, melt butter completely. Stir in sugar and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not allow sugar mixture to boil.

3.  Pour butter mixture into a large bowl or stand mixer, beat in cocoa powder, eggs, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

4. Stir in the flour and chocolate chips until well combined.

5. Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until a tester comes out mostly clean. The edges should be set and the center should still look slightly moist, but not uncooked.  Cool on a wire rack.