Brownies from Scratch

I never buy brownie mixes anymore...these are just SO good and come together so easily with things I always have in the pantry anyway!


Ingredients:

• 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 1 c white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c all-purpose flour
• 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9x9in baking pan.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.  In another bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla.  Beat in eggs.  Fold in dry ingredients.  Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
• Bake 20-25 minutes, or until brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan.  Cool on wire rack.
• I like to top it with Chocolate Chip Frosting.

Chocolate Revel Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
  
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 12-oz. package semisweet chocolate chips
  
• 2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• Set aside 2 TBS of the butter. In a large mixing bowl beat the remaining butterwith an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar; beat until well mixed. Beat in eggs and 2 tsp. vanilla.
  
• In another large bowl stir together flour and baking soda; stir in oats. Gradually stir dry mixture into beaten mixture. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan combine the reserved butter, the sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips. Cook over low heat until the chocolate melts, stirring occasionally (this can also be done in the microwave). Remove from heat. Stir in the 2 tsp. vanilla.
• Press two-thirds (about 3-1/3 cups) of the oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 15"x10"x1" baking pan. Spread chocolate mixture over the oat mixture. Using your fingers, dot remaining oat mixture over the chocolate.
• Bake about 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned (chocolate mixture will still look moist). Cool on a wire rack before cutting into bars.
  

Chocolate Cranberry Oat Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) margarine, softened
• 1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 13"x9" baking pan with cooking spray.

• Combine cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Let stand 10 min.
  

• Meanwhile, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt; set aside.
  

• Beat margarine and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in cranberry mixture, chocolate and pecans.
  

• Spread dough into prepared pan.

• Bake 25-30 min. or until lightly browned and middle is set.
  

• Cool completely on wire rack before cutting into bars.

Blonde Brownies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 TBS hot water
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray.
• In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and mix in brown sugar and hot water. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix well.
• Spread in pan and bake for 22 minutes.