Tuesday, November 20, 2012

TWD: Best Ever Brownies


Today was a weird day. I got up (that's normal). Went to work (also normal). And then all of a sudden, one of my lymph nodes was swollen and sore. Just one. What's up with that?!

It stayed that way for the rest of the morning. Every time I would turned my head, I could feel the lump. By the afternoon, it was gone. No idea what happened there. Poof! Huzzah!

However, there was a negative repercussion after the disappearance. It left me feeling achey and just plain old tired the rest of the day. I felt and looked like one of those tired people on the 5-hour Energy commercials.

Blahh....

Ok. Let's talk brownies. These brownies were good. Not the best, but definitely up there. Like any good brownie, the edges were the best. Chewy. Yum. I also really enjoyed the top of the brownie. The top was so flakey, it was almost like it had a hard icing. It definitely gave the brownie the additional texture it really needed. The rest of the brownie was very fudgey and I have to say, I'm not really down with that. Desserts that taste undercooked or soggy, such as bread pudding or molten lava cake, are just not my cup of tea.

Even though the middle was too fudgey for me, I think the combo of the flakey top and chewy edges still made it a pretty good brownie.

I probably won't make these again. Well, I might. Maybe if I combo it with another recipe to get the best of both worlds, I could make the chewiest, flakiest brownie ever. It would be called the Ultimate Brownie. Yes....MUAHAHahaha!!!

If you love fudgey brownies versus cakey or chewy, try making these. You can find the recipe on Monica's blog, A Beautiful Mess. She was this week's TWD host!

Oh no...the big lymph node is back!!! Ackk! I guess it's time for bed....Hopefully this will be gone before Thanksgiving. I don't want to miss out on the massive carbo load. Oh, and I guess seeing friends and family too.


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

TWD: Buttermilk Crumb Muffins


I'm such a slacker. I made these yum yums last night. They were lovely and quick to make. They're not the most filling breakfast, but they taste pretty good right after they are baked or straight from the toaster oven the next day.

I love how they are moist and fluffy. It kind of reminded me of a good, not so dense coffee cake or banana bread without the banana. I guess shortening can do that to muffins. Never knew.

I also liked the subtle tanginess from the buttermilk. It was so delicate, it made me want to eat muffin after muffin to bring out the flavor. Oh muffins, you're so fun and addicting.

The muffin top was fun too. The small brown sugar crystals gave it a tiny crunch, which reminded of rock candy. Kind of.

If I make these again, which I probably will, I would want to up the healthiness to these muffins. Maybe add some wheat bran. Or maybe I'll just eat a head of broccoli on the side to make myself feel better. We'll see.

If you would like to make yourself this quick breakfast treat, check out Alisa's blog, easier than pie, for the recipe.