Chocolate Lover's Cake Brownies

We've been in a brownie frenzy over here lately. To be honest, it's because the boxed brownie mixes were on sale at the store and I picked up way more than we'll ever need. They're just so convenient and let's face it, they taste pretty fantastic.

But the other day I was in a mood to bake, so I used a recipe I've had my eye on and got my bake on. Once I started mixing everything together I was a little surprised at how liquidy the batter was, so I decided to forego adding nuts to the mix (I love pecans or walnuts in my brownies). That turned out to be a good decision, since these were great all on their own.

The end result produced a definite cake-like brownie that was light and fluffy, moist, and had a smooth chocolate flavor. I added cinnamon to the recipe and I loved tasting a hint of spice with each bite. I'd like to try making these a bit healthier in the future, because I had a really hard time not eating the entire batch; I sent them all (minus one or two) with my husband to work. He said they were gone within a couple hours.

Chocolate Lover's Cake Brownies

slightly adapted from Kikkoman

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking powder 
1/4 teaspoon baking soda 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar 
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

2/3 cup vegetable oil 

2 eggs 
1-1/2  teaspoon vanilla extract 
3/4 cup Pearl Chocolate 
Organic Soymilk 
Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Mix together granulated sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, and 1/3 cup boiling water in large mixing bowl with wooden spoon. Add oil, eggs and vanilla; beat lightly until just combined. Alternately add flour mixture and soymilk, beating after each addition.


Pour batter into nonstick 15 x 10-inch jelly roll baking pan.Bake in preheated 350°F oven 18 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

*These brownies are part of a giveaway sponsored by Kikkoman on Jessica Lynn Writes

New Mexico Biscochitos

If you know me in real life then you may know that I'm not a fan of chocolate chip cookies (CCC). If you see me eating one I'm usually nibbling around the chocolate pieces—true story. In fact, I actually prefer chocolate chip cookies sans the chocolate chips. Seriously, the CCC batter is DELICIOUS as its own cookie. I realize that's not normal, so I decided to blame my home state, New Mexico, on the reason why I prefer cinnamon-sugar sweets to chocolate.

I grew up eating a delicate dessert called biscochitos—a cookie that doesn't have a smidgen of chocolate, but are dusted with cinnamon and sugar and are so tender they practically melt in your mouth. These cookies are special and typically emerge around the holidays or for very special occasions, so they've always been somewhat of a delicacy in my mind.

Another thing that makes biscochitos the creme of the cookie crop is that they're the official New Mexico state cookie—a fun fact I learned when I was in elementary school. Depending on what region you're from in New Mexico, they're spelled different (biscochitos, bizcochitos, biscochos, etc.), but still taste pretty much the same. They're traditionally made with anise (a teeny tiny seed that tastes a bit like black licorish), but I grew up eating them without anise, so that's how I make them. They're also made with lard. Yes, straight up lard. They may taste "just as good" with shortening, but I think my family may disown me if I stray from the recipe too much.

Why all this talk about a cookie? Well, a couple weeks ago Better Homes and Gardens asked if I'd be interested in participating in their State Cookie Contest. I may be living in Georgia now, but since I'll always call New Mexico "home," I asked if I could bake on behalf of the Land of Enchantment. They said the New Mexico spot was mine, so armed with a brand new Better Homes and Gardens baking sheet*, I got down to business and made the first recipe that came to mind: biscochitos.

The grand prize winner in the State Cookie Contest wins a $100 Walmart gift card and TWO Better Homes and Gardens Bakeware sets (one for me and one to give away....or possibly TWO to give away since we're moving)!


Here's how you vote for this mouthwatering cookie...It's as easy as 1, 2, 3:
1.  "Like" BHG Live Better on Facebook
2. Look to the left and click on "State Cookie Contest"
3. "Like" New Mexico Biscochitos
(You can vote once EVERY day until July 27!)

Biscochitos

adapted from Simply Simpatico

Ingredients:

1 cup lard (or shortening)

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

3 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon anise seed (optional)

3 tablespoons sweet table wine (Mogen David Concord works great!)

1/2 cup sugar (may need a bit more)

2 tablespoons cinnamon (may need a bit more)

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream lard and sugar together until creamy. Add egg and beat until very fluffy. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture. Stir and mix in wine (and anise seed, if using) until it's a dough-like consistency (may need to knead). Roll dough out on floured board to 1/4" thickness. Cut into desired shape. Combine 1/4 sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon; sprinkle on top of each cookie. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Combine the rest of the sugar and cinnamon. Once out of the oven immediately cover the entire cookie with cinnamon sugar mix. Enjoy!

* I was not compensated in any way for this post.  I DID receive a free pan to use in the creation process, but all thoughts and reviews are my own**