Bookworm Meets Bookworm: Valentine's Day

Showing posts with label Valentine's Day. Show all posts

2.11.2014

Dark Chocolate Fudgy Brownies for VDay

Following my last post on Valentine's Day, I'm going to introduce you to the most delicious brownies you'll ever taste that could also be the perfect little addition to your love notes. I'm totally serious when I say these are the best you'll ever taste. We can discuss this after you've made them. Deal?

It's been sometime since I've really craved something sweet; however, when I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I was determined to make it for a Valentine's Day treat and devour it myself. I'm big on honesty over here. I changed it up a bit because I LOVE dark chocolate and desired less chocolate chunks in the batter than the original recipe called for, but I've linked the original so you can try them either way. It really is a recipe that you could alter to your own liking without ruining the whole thing. So... enjoy!

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper. (I don't actually own a 9x9 dish and didn't want to use my 9x13 for fear of really thin brownies so used a 9" pie dish instead. It works!)
Beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a stand mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix in the baking soda.
Mix in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
Once a thick batter forms, scrape it into the prepared dish and spread evenly.
Bake for 25 minutes, until brownies begin to pull away from the side of the pan. *I pulled mine out just before so they'd be extra gooey, but that's your call.

*Recipe taken and adapted from somethingswanky.com

Let me be honest for a minute. My first approach to this recipe consisted of scooping the batter into the cutest little heart-shaped silicone molds so that you'd have many servings of little brownie treats to hand out. That whole plan, however, was thrown out the window when I found my heart-shaped cookie cutter in the utensil drawer while prepping. I thought I could get away with using it instead. And you can. Sort of. You can use a cookie cutter once the brownies have cooled completely. I, needless to say, did not wait. I only got one out before realizing I was being a greedy idiot and waited so that I could get three more out. Of course, I saved all the scraps and have been snacking on them since, but it was a little messy. If you're looking for more treats, I'd say go with the molds, or stick to a pan and cut them out yourself. It's just prettier.

The drill... Bake > cool > wrap up all crafty like > snack on a few pieces > hand out to the one(s) you love!

And just like that, you've gone and outdone yourself without doing much at all. :)

Cheers!

2.05.2014

Pretty Post for a Valentine

Yep, it's almost that time again... Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and the internet is bursting with creative DIYs and treats to consume! I may not be the biggest fan of the holiday of roses and chocolates and diamonds, but I love the cute cards and fun recipes that come out around this time of year and wanted to share my own picks for the day.

Note: Now that I've relocated to an area where the sun rarely shines, and there's no shortage of snow, I am almost completely convinced that this holiday was created in some tundra like town in order to add some color, and provide a little reminder that love is not lost, in order to make it through winter. Yes, this may be a bit dramatic but cabin fever is setting in. Send help.

I have a major weakness for handmade cards with quirky messages, bright colors, and cute packaging. Seriously. I have a collection. I'm like you're grandmother minus the Hallmark situation. So, if you're like me and want to spread a little love without emptying your bank account, simply pick up one of these ridiculously cute cards and make someone's day!

witandwhistle

2.11.2013

A Post: Blondies for Your Valentines

I'm not actually a huge fan of the holiday that pushes candy (I'm ok with the chocolate) and roses and diamonds. However, I am a big fan of the pretty little cards that you can find at places like here, here and here. And baking treats like those you see above... I'm sorry, but also not sorry because they are delicious!

I snagged this recipe from one of my favorite foodie sites, Simply Recipes:

Things you'll need:

1/2 cup of butter, melted
1 cup of tightly packed dark brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/3 cup of butterscotch chips (I added chocolate chips, too.)

To make:

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter and flour an 8X8 pan. Whisk together the melted butter and sugar in a bowl.

2 Add the egg and vanilla extract and whisk.

3 Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, mix it all together. Add the butterscotch chips or other mix-ins.

4 Pour into the pan (I poured mine into individual silicone cups) and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool. Cut into squares and serve.

(Gooey goodness)

So, what are your plans for the holiday? Any treats you'd like to share?! I'd love to see them!

Happy Valentine's Day, bookworms!

2.14.2011

Love is Everywhere

Although J and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day, I still love the precious little hearts you see all around prior to the big day. Hey, I even baked some heart-shaped scones for one of my best friends, and butterscotch oatmeal cookies for my co-workers. So here's a little wish that all you bookworms enjoy a day full of love and warmth! I thought I'd share a collection of all the little hearts that I've spotted and captured whilst living and loving recently. Hope you enjoy!

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