Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Mocha-Java-Whateva Brownies

When you are sick, hurt, sad or lonely, what is better than a plate full of your favorite food? A plate of food that someone made for you and delivered to your door! 

I have a friend Claire (who I never call Claire, weird) who happens to live up the street from me. She also happens to be an awesome soccer player for the Boston Breakers, a pro-team in Bean Town. She also happens to be recovering from surgery.

When she and I were younger (I’m talking 11 years old) we had this obsession with Starbucks Ice Cream. I, like most 11 –year-olds, hated coffee, but this ice cream was incredible.  It had these chocolate chunks ( I’m sure now must have been java “chips”) that gave the perfect bite to the smooth creamy spoonful.

Now, let me tell you that Claire and I haven’t hung out since oh… 2006. Well, not really hung out. We’ve run into each other but not had a formal catch up. I’m crossing my fingers that her taste hasn’t changed, and hopefully, she will love these Mocha Double Fudge Brownies.

What ya need:
Cooking spray
2/3  cup  all-purpose flour
1  cup  sugar
1/2  cup  unsweetened cocoa
1/4  cup  butter, melted
2  tbsp  water
1  tbsp  instant coffee granules (OR try a tbsp or 2 of brewed coffee)
1  tsp  vanilla extract
1/2  tsp  baking powder
1  large egg
1  large egg white
1/4  cup  semisweet chocolate mini-chips (still on that leftover Easter candy)
1/4  cup  hot fudge chocolate topping (use fat-free if desired)

What ya do:
Preheat oven to 350
Coat bottom only of an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray
Measure all ingredients.

Combine sugar and the next 8 ingredients (sugar through egg white) in a bowl.

Add flour and mini-chips, stirring just until blended. Spread half of batter in bottom of prepared pan. Spread the chocolate topping over batter (topping will not completely cover batter). 

Spread remaining batter over topping.
 
Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool on a wire rack.
 
Guess what? An0ther light recipe! Each brownie (it makes 16) is only 138 calories! And you wouldn’t have any idea. The rich aroma of the coffee and all the different layers of flavor totally makes this recipe taste decadent. Another good thing? It’s e-a-s-y. The whole process took no time at all to prepare…and I didn’t even need to go to the store because I had all these on hand!

 Once again, I used the rest of the Easter Bunny chocolate. I’m almost out until next year!  So, feel free to use what you have. Other people who have tried this recipe topped it with a dark chocolate or caramel frosting… me? Too lazy. They look good as is… and smell fantastic. My kitchen smelled like a little cafĂ©, obsessed.
 
So, the next time you’re looking for a pick-me-up, try these easy-as-pie brownies… except they’re way easier than pie.
Au revoir!

9 comments:

Magic of Spice said...

There is absolutely no way that she could not love these, unless the surgery was to remove her taste buds!
What a wonderful thing for her:) They look beyond delicious!

Lauren said...

I just saw this pop up on Facebook. I haven't had dinner yet, because my boyfriend is always stuck at work... but I don't care. I want to skip dinner and eat three of these, please.


-- Lauren, Lauren's Little Kitchen
http://laurenslittlekitchen.com

P.S. Starbucks ice cream is PERFECT.

The Food Apprecianado said...

Ok. I give in. Those look delish. I'm sending you the bill for the gym membership I'll need after I eat them all in one sitting!

Rick said...

Starbucks ice cream is amazing! They have all these new flavors now. The mocha frap was the best in my opinion.

Almost forget, brownies look yummy.

Joy said...

Now I really want brownies. Those look so good.

Julie m. said...

You can't go wrong with brownies and these ones look like they deliver! Thanks for sharing.

Biren said...

I am sure Claire would love these brownies. I can almost smell them. They look yummy!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

wow amazing brownies, now I am going to have to make some .....can just imagine the taste mouth watering over here~

Jen said...

my heavens these brownies look AMAZING. i can't tell you the last time i had a brownie, there is something seriously wrong with that. i need to change it... and i think i will with this recipe!

thanks for the comment on my page! i'm glad you liked what you saw! i look forward to keeping up with your postssssss. :)