Julia Chow and Valentine's Presents

This is Julia Chow. The queen of my kitchen. I study under her watchful eye.


She watches each move I make to ensure I am preparing her dinner just perfectly. So far I am doing ok but she is a tough task master.


Everyone is snowed in, literally. We still can't get out of our driveway. We live in a very steep hilly area and snow plows have not even seen a side street yet. All the schools are closed and many businesses as well. The local stores, in walking distance, are out of everything. A lot of people have had no power since Friday. So I thought I would make everyone treats. I baked brownies and made granola. These are the most decadent brownies ever. Start by putting two sticks of butter in a microwave safe bowl. I took the pic before I added the second stick.


Add 2 1/4 cups of white sugar and microwave until the butter melts. Stir to combine and microwave for an additional minute.


I forgot that pic too. It will look much runnier than this.


Pour that in the bowl of a mixer and beat in 1 1/4 cups of Dutch cocoa (unsweetened).


Break in 4 large eggs.


Beat this until combined.


Add 1/2 tsp. of salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 tablespoon of vanilla along with 1 1/2 cup of flour. Bad picture day, I forgot to show that you now add 3 cups of mini chocolate chips.


Pour it into a pan lined with parchment paper. Bake it for 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.


They puff up and crack a bit but will settle down as they cool.


While they are cooling heat 1 1/2 cups of cream to a simmer.


When it simmers pour it over 3 cups of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.





Stir the hot cream into the chips.


Whisk until creamy and smooth.


Pour the ganache over the brownies and allow to cool. I made three recipes, the above recipe makes one of these pans.


After they cooled, I cut them into small squares and placed them on mini cake plates and wrapped them.


My neighbors might have cabin fever, but they won't starve.


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