Afternoon Treat

From the time my boys were toddlers, our blond brownie recipe has been a favorite. I can remember chilly autumn and winter afternoons when we were all feeling a bit low. Sometimes I would ask them which treat they would like me to make. This recipe was a frequent request.

I would ask, not quite believing them, "Are you sure?"

They would smile and nod vigorously. Something so simple, so plain! It amazed me that they liked these so much.

I would slip into the kitchen to whip these up and pop them in the oven. Soon the house was filled with their buttery aroma. We all felt better after having them warm from the oven.

Cassandra's Blond Brownies

Ingredients:

2 cups plain flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 cup applesauce or yogurt

2 cups brown sugar

4 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Blend first three dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl.

3. Melt butter in microwave (briefly, 15-20 seconds) in large glass mixing bowl.

4. Stir in applesauce or yogurt and brown sugar.

5. Beat egg whites into wet mixture with a fork or whisk until blended.

6. Stir in vanilla.

7. Blend in the flour mixture.

8. Spoon batter into a very lightly greased rectangular baking pan. Press into the pan.

Use waxed paper if necessary to spread the batter evenly.

Allow at least one inch space in the top for the batter to rise when baking.

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Pull from oven and place on cooling rack or trivet for 10 minutes.

Slice with a sharp knife, pull up from the pan with a spatula, and enjoy.

Alternative options:

Stir 1 cup dark or white chocolate chips into batter with the flour mixture.

Stir one cup of chopped walnuts into batter with the flour mixture.

We enjoyed the brownies with tea, coffee, hot cocoa, or milk.

All recipes, copyright 2009 by Cassandra Frear unless otherwise indicated.