Have you ever tried working in the kitchen with a toddler? How about baking? Baking chocolate brownies with loads of sugar and chocolate? I did today, and it was fun. Crazy, but fun. 




This week's Baking with Dorie recipe was a perfect one to try with Baby Zipora because it was super easy. A one-bowl recipe, no electric mixer required.

And she was delighted to help. She mixed, chopped and tasted. She was especially good at tasting. 


This recipe's a real keeper. Chocolaty. Minty. And so easy even a two-year-old could make it.  




Brrrr-ownies, adapted from the recipe on page 103 of Dorie Greenspan's Baking
The original recipe calls for York Peppermint Pattie bites, but I wanted a non-dairy version so I used Paskesz Mint Thins. It also calls for a combination of bittersweet and unsweetened chocolate, which I didn't have on hand. I substituted chocolate chips and reduced the sugar. Guess what? The recipe came out just perfect. And it was in the oven in less than 10 minutes from when I started!


5 tablespoons margarine
6 ounces chocolate chips
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/3 cup flour
6 ounces York peppermint pattie bites, or 1 package Paskesz mint thins, chopped in bits


Preheat the oven to 325*. Line an 8-inch baking pan with foil and spray the foil with some Pam. 


Combine the margarine and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for a couple of minutes, till melted and smooth but not so hot that the margarine separates. 


Stir in the sugar (don't worry if it gets grainy). Whisk in the eggs, and then add the vanilla. Whisk for another minute or so.


Stir in the flour and the peppermint bits. 


Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth out the top. Bake for about 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool to room temperature. 


Peel away the foil and cut into 16 squares.