Barbie Carson

Thanks to Barbie Carson of Franklin, Virginia for this creative recipe! Baking brownies doesn’t get much easier (or tastier) than this.

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans (regular size)
• 1 box Duncan Hines Brownie mix (any flavor)

Instructions:

• Puree beans in food processor and place in a mixing bowl.
• Add brownie mix and stir with a fork until blended.
• Put mixture in a 7X11 Pyrex dish and even out. Bake at 400* for 1 hour.
• Cut into 16 squares

Grandmama

According to the Ince Family Cookbook, Grandmama got this recipe in 1960 from another Cub Scout mother when Uncle John was a Cub Scout in Yokohama, Japan. At the time, Grandfather was stationed there in the Navy.

Whenever Mom made these brownies for me and Gabe as kids, she let the two of us lick the bowl. We drew a line down the middle of the bowl, but always argued over who got the bigger half. Mom decided that whoever drew the line didn’t get to choose, so we started taking turns with who drew the line. Then we fought over who got to eat the batter on the line. Mom would ask us “Who is going to take the high road?” and we’d both shout “Me! Me!” Exasperated, she would say “Neither of you is taking the high road” and left the room. Of course, we also fought over the beaters. The same saga occurred with chocolate chip cookies. Fortunately, we both grew up and do not quarrel over such things anymore.

Preparation Time:
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup sifted flour
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup butter
• 2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ½ cup walnut pieces (optional)
• Powdered sugar (enough to cover brownies)
  

Instructions:

• Grease an 8x8x2 inch pan.
• Sift flour, measure, and re-sift with salt and baking powder.
• Melt butter and chocolate together.
• Add sugar gradually to eggs, beating. (Use a larger bowl for this as you will need to add to it).
• Add chocolate mixture and blend.
• Add flour, vanilla, and nuts if you are using them.
• Bake 25 minutes or until done.
• Cool in pan and dust with powdered sugar while still hot.

Aunt Jaymie

A deliciously rich treat, Aunt Jaymie often brings these brownies to family gatherings and back in the day, she made them for her kids’ soccer games. If you are craving chocolate, this is the way to go. 

Preparation Time:
Cooking Time:

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter
• 3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
• 4 whole eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• A pinch of salt
• 1 cup flour

Instructions:

• Melt butter.
• Add 2 cups chocolate chips, stir until melted putting back on heat if necessary.
• Add eggs (stirred well), vanilla, salt, and flour.
• Stir until smooth.
• Add remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips
• Pour into buttered 13×9 in. pan
• Bake at 350
• Cool completely before serving

Aunt Jaymie’s Tip: DO NOT OVERBAKE!