Knock You Out Brownies

I think it's safe to say I am enamored obsessed with chocolate.  It's a rare (and abysmal) day if I don't get my chocolate fix.  It just makes the day a little brighter - can I get an amen? Like my daily injection dose of coffee, things just aren't right until I've had some chocolate.  That's why I am completely in love with these guys.

They pretty much are spot on with combining all of my favorite things: marshmallow, chocolate, coffee, and peanut butter.  Sound a little disgusting?  Well, I will admit, I was pretty skeptical at first also, but they won me over with their decadent topping and soft texture.  So try them out before you knock 'em.  I have complete faith that these will knock you out with their amazing-ness.  

Knock You Out Brownies

Adapted slightly from Handle the Heat

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, melted

2 cups brown sugar

3/4 cups of your favorite cocoa powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional, but you really don’t taste it; it’s just there to enhance the flavor)

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided

3 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup of your favorite peanut butter (I used crunchy)

1 1/2 cups Rice Crispies

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Add the brown sugar to the melted butter and place in the microwave. Heat until mixture is warm and brown sugar is better dissolved.

Transfer the butter mixture to a large bowl then add the cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring to incorporate after each addition. Finally, add the flour and half of the chocolate chips; mix to combine.

Transfer the batter to a greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the marshmallows evenly over top of brownies. Return to the oven for 5 minutes more or until the marshmallows are puffed and softened but not browned [watch them like a hawk!]. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool on a rack.

After the marshmallow-brownies have cooled, heat the remaining chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, stirring frequently, until the chips have melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in rice crispies. Dollop the mixture over the marshmallow-topped brownies and spread evenly. Allow to cool completely before feeding to patient, empty bellies.

An ode to Kora...

Like I said in my first post, we have a dog Kora who thinks she's human.  No really, I'm pretty sure she thinks she's our kid, but that's okay with me because not only is she entertaining (I mean come one, she runs into doors and walls!) but she is also really cute - and I mean award winning cute.

Exhibit A:

This is puppy Kora that we got in May when she just slept all the time.  Soon after this she entered into the "Must destroy everything!!" phase and shocked herself by chewing on a power chord.  Yes, PETA and the ASPCA will probably be knocking on our door any day now for animal cruelty.
Check out Exhibit B:

This is sailor Kora, aka the time we found out Kora hates swimming when we threw her into the lake.  This so called "lab-chow mix" does not enjoy being in the water, even if she is in a life jacket. However, good things did come of this: she placed 2nd in the law school's cutest pet photo contest - she's still trying to figure out exactly what that means though.

And finally, exhibit C:

This Kora currently - she's in the "must destroy sticks and dig holes in yard" phase.  Other than that, she's a pretty good dog.  That's why I decided to make her some dog treats and I thought I'd share the recipe with you.  Hope you bestow some lovin' from the oven on your little furry friend.

Apple Peanut Butter Dog Treats

1 apple, cored with skin on
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup brown rice flour*
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Place cored apple into food processor and pulse into small bits.  Combine apple bits, peanut butter, egg and flour in a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer until homogenous.  At this point, you can knead and shape with a cookie cutter or you can do what I did and use a cookie scoop.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.  Cookies will be slightly sticky; allow to cool before feeding to man's best friend.  Store in an airtight container for other times your pet has been particularly good.

*If you've never made your own rice flour - it can be a pain; it may also burn up your food processor.  If you think you'll use rice flour a lot, just buy a bag; if not, borrow some from a friend.