The BEST Brownies... Truffle Brownies | LG EasyClean Oven Range

Last month, I shared one of my "Messy Recipes" (a recipe book or card that was splattered with ingredients from being used over and over again) from my little blue book that was my journal during my catering days - it contained all of my favorite recipes that I made over and over for my clients.  Well, this month, I was asked share another sort of "Messy Recipe" by the folks at LG.  

They have recently launched their new generation of LG EasyClean™ Double Range Ovens that can be cleaned in minutes instead of hours... meaning less time cleaning and more time to spend doing, well, anythingelse!    All you do is spray the oven interior with water, press the EasyClean button, then in just 20 minutes, wipe away any residual bits.  I love that there are no chemicals or high heat needed - something I always consider. To learn more about LG EasyClean click here.

1 pound of butter (4 sticks)

2 pounds of chocolate chips

2 1/4 cups of sugar

1 1/4 cup of flour

6 eggs

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of sea salt

seeds from 1 vanilla bean

In a microwave safe bowl, place chocolate chips, then top with 4 sticks of butter. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, until butter melts and covers the chips. Stir to melt.

Combine the dry ingredients, then add it to the chocolate mixture in a kitchen aid, fitted with the paddle. 

Add the eggs and stir until just combined. Bake in a large 13x18 baking sheet at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes. I let these cool overnight in the refrigerator to help the cutting process. Then enjoy!

Now it’s your turn to tell me - what is YOUR favorite recipe that leaves your oven messy? Let me know in the comments for your chance to win your own LG EasyClean™ Double Oven Range!

  

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Peanut Butter Brownies | Chewy, Chocolate Fudge & Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe

Peanut Butter Brownies

Chocolate and Peanut Butter might be one of the world's best combinations.  I know for some 'foodie types' that chocolate and raspberry, or chocolate and orange might be more sophisticated combinations, but for me it doesn't get better than PB & chocolate.

Peanut Butter Brownies are an obvious no-brainer.  You can start with a standard boxed brownie mix, or make homemade brownies (like my truffle brownies), either way the addition of a peanut butter swirl is crazy good. 

I've mentioned before that Mike is a purist of sorts when it comes to desserts - he prefers classic chocolate chip cookies vs. anything with oatmeal, raisins or PB, simple chocolate cake with butter cream frosting, and plain, 'chewy' (as he'd say...) brownies.  So, I added the peanut butter swirl to half of the pan.  You can do this if you are unsure if you'll like it... but I'm telling you, you will!

Peanut Butter Brownies Recipe

Brownie Box Mix, prepared as directed (before it bakes)

OR

Homemade Brownies (get my recipe here!)

6 tablespoons of chunky peanut butter

After pouring the batter into the prepared baking pan, dollop 6 tablespoons of peanut butter evenly over the brownie batter.  With a knife, swirl the peanut butter into the chocolate batter, drawing your knife up and down the length of the pan.  Bake as directed.

I always bake my brownies a few minutes short of instructed baking time to get a nice, gooey, "chewy" brownie.

Notice Mike's taken care of the plain side already.  I love this Gold Touch Non-stick Baking Pan from William Sonoma ($26).  It is my official 'brownie pan'.

Caramel Brownie Cheesecake | National Cheesecake Day!

My very first job was at The Daily Grind in Lexington.  It was sort of a gourmet coffee, bakery and cafe - homemade desserts, muffins, stuffed croissants, and handcrafted cappuccinos and lattes.   Pretty fancy for a small town!  At least, I thought so when I worked there in high school.

One of my weekly duties was to make the cheesecakes.  Now you must understand, that this was in the 90's right in the midst of the Cheesecake craze.  The Cheesecake Factory was just becoming the hot date spot amongst my friends (that had boyfriends who could drive...), the Jell-O Nobake Cheesecake was the most popular dessert at potlucks... cheesecake was the dessert.