Getting Started

Since I'm the Sassy Mom of a bunch of sassy kids, I figure the best way to please those kids is with a treat, right?  And what a better way to kick off my blog than with a brownie recipe.  Here's promising to post pictures, links and all sorts of bells and whistles in the future.  For now, start your coffee pot and make sure you have some cold milk ready for your kiddoes.

Double Chocolate Almond Brownies

4 squares unsweetened chocolate (one ounce each)
2 sticks butter (hush up and use real butter)
1 - 3/4 cups sugar
4 beaten eggs
1 - 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
a pinch of salt
1 - 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Grease (with butter) a 9x13 pan
Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Melt together the chocolate and the butter, being careful to not over cook (stove top on low is great, microwave needs great prudence).  Cool slightly.  Stir in sugar.  Add eggs, mix well.  Stir in almond extract.  Add flour and salt, stir until combined but don't overbeat the poor batter.  Add chocolate chips and give a final stir.  Pour into your greased pan, the sprinkle the almonds on top.  Bake at 325 for about 30 minutes.  Cool if you can stand it, then cut them up and let your kids dunk them in their milk (while you dunk yours in your coffee).

Enjoy!