Sinful Brownies and Absolut Hickeys

This week’s recipe is a “best of." I am still recovering and cleaning up after the party we had this weekend to celebrate my daughter’s graduation and going off to college. The key to having a great time at your own party: have it catered, hire a waitress and get a wonderful neighbor to be the photographer – thank you Linda! We are still eating yummy leftovers from Karma in Westford and so no cooking for me. Yes it is true, Rufina’s lasagna is better than mine. Also, invite your fabulous neighbors, friends, family and your children’s fabulous friends; you guys are the best, I think I am going to miss some of you as much as I am going to miss my daughter. 

Here are two of my favorite recipes from earlier this year:

Sinful Brownies and Absolut Hickeys

Mom I bored!”

“Mom, what are we doing today? “

It is school vacation week and all over Chelmsford kids are saying “Yeah!!!” and moms are saying, “Ugh…what am I going to do with these kids”?

Here is a recipe for the kids to give them a treat and keep them busy for a while.  If they are old enough to read, then just hand them the recipe and see what they can do.  If they cannot read, then this is a good recipe to do together.

Children are never too young to learn how to help in the kitchen. Learning to cook and bake will give them an appreciation for food and what is involved in preparing it.  And this recipe is "lick the bowl, lick the spoons" good!  They are called “Sinful Brownies" because they are so good it is sinful, and sinfully easy.

But before you begin, here is something for the moms, because no matter how old your kids are, you are still going to have some cleaning up to do.  Still tell the kids they have to clean up, tell them that it is part of baking and "licking the bowl," but you know you will still have to clean up after they are done.

So here is a treat for you. I call it “Absolut Hickeys.”  Get yourself some Absolut or any premium vodka.  Fill a glass ¾ with ice.  Fill the glass to about 1/3 with the vodka and then fill the remainder with Oceanspray Crangrape Juice. Grab a straw, take a big sip and then call the kids into the kitchen.  Now everyone can begin.

Ingredients

1 box of Brownie Mix – 9x13 pan size.    The brand really doesn’t matter,  just be sure not to overcook.  If you are given the choice on the box for chewy brownies or cakelike brownies, follow the recipe for chewy. These brownies become “Sinful” because of the topping.

Most boxes require you to add water, vegetable oil and 2 eggs, but follow the box directions exactly and cook them for the least recommended time.  If the box says 27-30 minutes, cook for 27 minutes.

8 oz. Marshmallow Fluff

12 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Grease a 9x13 size pan.  Prepare the brownies as directed on the box and cook for the least recommended time.  When the brownies are done, remove from the oven.  Scoop the marshmallow onto the top of the brownies.  Just drop the marshmallow on, the heat from the brownies will melt the marshmallow – don’t stir just yet.  Put the chocolate chips in a microwaveable dish and microwave at full power for 1 minute.  Then stir the chocolate and microwave again for 30 seconds.  Stir until the chocolate is melted – no need to be full melted, chunks are good!  Then pour the chocolate on top of the marshmallow and swirl the chocolate and marshmallow all over the top of the brownies.  No need to stir until the chocolate and marshmallow are completely mixed together, these are actually better if the chocolate and marshmallow is not completely mixed together.

The brownies are delicious hot, delicious hot with ice cream on top and delicious cold.  Let the brownies cool completely and then store them in the refrigerator.  Cutting them after they have been in the refrigerator for a while can be difficult to do, so before you cut them, let them sit on the counter at room temperature for about a half hour and cutting them will be much easier.  When storing, use wax paper between the layers of the brownies because they are very sticky.

My family and friends really love these brownies. I can’t tell you how many times I have made these.  On our annual family beach vacation, it is the first thing everyone looks for when they come to our cottage. I used to mail these to my niece when she was living in Staten Island to give her a bit of home. And I think these brownies changed me from “that girl with Jim” when we were dating, to “Julie” with my husband’s family. The way to people’s heart is through chocolate!