Carmelitas

For our recent block party odd numbers got to bring dessert and even had to bring a main/side. I am happy we live in an odd numbered house. I made three different desserts. My husband doesn't eat sugar and we try to keep the kids sugar free at home, so I went a little nutty when I got to make something sweet and couldn't pick just one recipe to make.

This one was the second favorite. It is a recipe out of food and wine and after making the recipe and tasting the bars I would change the way it was made drastically. It feels like one of the recipes where they take a banquet size recipe and reduce it to family portions but the actual end result didn't come out just right. For example the bottom was really hard, so next time I won't cook it first. The dulce de leche and chocolate layer did not cover enough especially on the top layer. I would definitely use more of each next time. Either way though, they all were eaten happily.

such a product placement shot, I am not even going to say what they are

mix your salt,, flour, and baking soda

stir in your oats and sugar

then cut in your butter

crush your pecans and stir flour into the dulce de leche

start with a layer of oat mix (pre-baked here, but next time I won't)

then add half of chocolate chips, pecans, and dulce de leche (note I'm doubling these next time)

then top with rest of the oat mix and the rest of the chocolate chips, pecans, and dulce de leche

bake thirty minutes, cool, cut and serve

Apparently a ladybird favorite.

Brownies

I really do love cook's illustrated. The scientific method is awesome. This is their 'perfect brownie' recipe. I follow it almost exactly, but having three kids, one of whom is a sugar addict, I took from a 9x13 to a 9x9 recipe and added more cocoa, and umm subbed hot coffee with a dash of cream or coconut milk instead of espresso powder. I also cut these into smaller pieces to make them last, but still they go fast. I can't make them too often as my sugar fiend won't sleep if he knows there are uneaten brownies to be had. But who can argue with three types of chocolate in one little morsel. It also helps that I can make the whole thing in one pot.

all my ducks in a row, note how well used the recipe is

weighing my chocolate

mix chocolate, cocoa, coffee, and 'milk' product till chocolate melts

turn off heat and add oil, butter, and eggs

suddenly it turns so yummy looking

then add your flour and salt

fold in more chocolate

pour into a buttered pan and bake

serve with more coffee, or ice cream

Chocolate good!