Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Consoling Consolation Cinnamon Butterscotch Brownies


Monday was not a good day...


I have had my cat, Eng on my mind for a couple days now, and that is getting... I guess better.  Thank everyone for such kind words you left me.


But Monday should have been a day of accomplishment and achievement for one of our own.  Joanne, from the EATS WELL WITH OTHERS blog had qualified to run the Boston marathon.  Friends, that means she ran 26.2 miles in UNDER 3 hours 40 minutes.  This is an accomplishment that will define her for the rest of her life.  It takes much more than physical ability to do this.  Drive, commitment, dedication, and any of a dozen more descriptive words come to mind.  But also it is an ability to envision a long term goal.  She didn't get out of bed and decide to run the Boston marathon.  It was a series of small steps that were months and probably years in the making.  She suffered a set back.  Due to a training injury, she was not able to compete this year.  The qualifying time does allow her to run next year. But the disappointment must have been crushing.  At least for the day.


Joanne approached the day of the race, in her own words, stoically.  She made a few jokes on her blog and baked brownies.


The same day Joanne did not run in Boston... I made a recipe she had posted for brownies.  Not on purpose.I was just looking for something sweet to make.  Her recipe was on my "need to cook now file".


I altered the recipe just enough that I can justify a new name...


I needed Consoling... Joanne needed Consolations... and we both needed brownies... so..



Consoling Consolation 

Cinnamon Butterscotch Brownies...



In Joanne's original recipe (click HERE to find that post), by her own admission, the original recipe made a "bar" texture vs. a chewy Blondie brownie texture.  I wanted a chewy gooey comfort brownie, so I made a couple changes in the recipe to gooey it up a bit.


Here's what I did...
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp Coconut Rum (substitute Vanilla if ye like ye land lover ye... arrrgh matey)
2 large eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 package butterscotch chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


Grease a 9X13 baking dish, or line with parchment paper.


Cream the butter, sugars cinnamon together.


Add the rum (vanilla) and eggs. and finally the flour.


Bake for 25 minutes...




Joanne gave a recipe for a cinnamon cream cheese icing for her bars.  I was going into a bit of a sugar overload just smelling these, so I chose not to ice them.


From the original recipe, I added more butter and shortened the baking time.  The brownies were just barely done, and extra gooey!  I mean really extra gooey.  OMG, these were good.  Came out just like I hoped.


So for a bit, the gooey comfort food was Consoling to me.


If I could, I would have shared a brownie with Joanne as a Consolation.  



The 

CINNAMON 
BUTTERSCOTCH 
BROWNIES
 certainly did the trick for me.



So thanks Joanne... Thanks so much that I will be adding this recipe to my contribution to this month's TASTE & CREATE .  I was paired with Joanne from EATS WELL WITH OTHERS for this month.  I have already made one post, but Joanne deserves a bonus...

TASTE & CREATE is a cultural exchange program for bloggers. Click on the logo to the left, but the premise is simple... Once you sign up, monthly, you are paired with another blogger. Hunt down a recipe that you find appealing and cook and post the results. You are introduced to a new recipe, and at the same time, because you dig a little deeper into a new blog, you find bits of personal information that gets you a new blogger buddy!





You never know when someone needs consoling.


or a consolation ooey gooey brownie to make them feel better...

15 comments:

  1. Those are wonderully consoling brownies.

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  2. I am so sorry about Eng. I know how hard it is to lose a pet that is a family member. It is especially hard when you are away from them. I lost my Saint Bernard in transit from California to New England. She was 9 years old.

    Brownies seen like they were just the ticket. These look especially good.

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  3. You are too good to me. Really.

    I think that knowing that you enjoyed these brownies is way better than getting to eat them myself. And I am going to have to have to make them again. With the extra butter. Because gooeyness is key.

    Thanks for understanding about Boston. My upsetness seems so silly but it was just a really hard day. I didn't think I would be that upset about it. But reading your comment and now this, really has made me feel better. So thanks :)

    My post for you is up!

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  4. I am catching up here Dave. I have left you comments on some of your previous posts. So sorry about Eng. Just want you to know what a good friend you are to all of us. Great brownies.

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  5. Hey,
    Sorry to hear you lost your cat. Losing a pet can be devastating. Feel better.
    The cinnamon butterscotch brownies look addictive!

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  6. I just made brownies last week with cinnamon (and caramel) but love yoru butterscotch add!

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  7. Yummy! What a great combination of flavors!

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  8. So sorry to hear about your loss Dave. I know how hard it is to lose a pet that has been such a big part of your life. I hope you found some comfort from those delicious looking brownies.

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  9. These sound delicious.

    I just left another comment about Eng down below. So, so sorry you have lost your good friend.

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  10. You're both winners in my book. I do like my brownies chewy though so I will be making this version soon. Love Jenny Mac's suggestion of caramel too! :)

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  11. Brownies are possibly the best comfort food, good job dude.

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  12. I haven't been by in a while and I feel like I have missed so much!! Those brownies look positively dangerous. I am glad they were able to help you and Joanne both (judging by her comment).

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  13. Terrific looking brownies. I also was catching up here and read about Eng. I'm so sorry for your loss. Some of the best friends I've had have been my pets!!!!

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  14. how nice. i love to see fellow bloggers unite like this. you both deserve something sweet!

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  15. This is a very cute post. The brownies look very good. I agree Joanne is an impressive lady.

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