This past week I really haven’t had anything truly annoying happen to write about. It has been a great week! So let’s get on to this week’s RAK.

This week I would like to talk about something I do occasionally for people. I usually listen quite well so I pick up on the little things people mention that they like. Using this knowledge I will put together a little care package for them. This could be a small assortment of their favorite candies or just little tchotchkes ( I have always wanted to use that word in something ). What I like doing most is doing a little creative baking. I like to experiment a bit while in the kitchen. One thing that has stuck in my head from my childhood is my grandmother always saying something like this; “never give store bought goodies. Always make them yourself.” I realize some people are not comfortable with making things from scratch and using a microwave is easier, but I find doing a bit of baking fun and relaxing. Lately, I have been having fun making brownies with different treats inside. Here is the base recipe from Better Homes and Gardens, it takes about 10 minutes to make and 30 to 35 minutes to bake:

½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 1-ounce squares, unsweetened chocolate, melted
½ cup sifted all-purpose flour
½ chopped walnuts

Take out butter at least an hour before mixing to let it get to room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs; beat well. Blend in chocolate, then stir in flour and nuts. Bake in greased 8x8x2 inch pan at 325 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Now here is where I experiment. I don’t like nuts so I have made this recipe without nuts many times. Some of the things I have used instead are; 3/4 cup caramel chips or 3/4 cup peanut butter chips or 3/4 cup dark raspberry chips.

Here are some other things I have tried that turned out awesome. After pouring the batter into the pan push in Hershey’s Kisses or any other kind of candy you may like before baking. I have used a variety of Hershey kiss flavors, Rolos, and Ghirardelli chocolate squares in different flavors. My next experiment is to try mixing in M&M mint or M&M peanut butter candy.

Once the brownies have cooled you can frost them if you like. Sorry, but I like my brownies without frosting so I don’t have a frosting recipe to share.

Enjoy.

~The Quiet Computer Guy