Our son David turned 20 yesterday. His birthday treat of choice this year was brownies with cream cheese frosting. We prettied them up with some valentine-colored sprinkles and served them on a pretty white tray. They were a yummy way of celebrating our boy!I have been collecting white ceramic serving pieces for several years now. Round platters, square platters, rectangle platters, oval baking dishes, large bowls, footed pedestals... I love them all! They're versatile and pretty enough for any occasion, and I also use them for every day. Why keep your "nice" dishes stashed away in a dark cupboard, only to see the light of day on holidays or when company comes? It's just as easy to stack a batch of after-school cookies on a beautiful footed pedestal as it is to use a plastic or paper plate. And if you're like me it will make you happy!
Here's the brownie recipe. Enjoy! Until next time...
CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIES
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square pan with non-stick spray. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and blend until smooth. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares. This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9x13-inch pan (use only 3 eggs when doubling).
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CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
4 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
3 to 4 tablespoons milk or cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 to 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar a little at a time until desired consistency is achieved. Frost brownies when cool.
