So my kids don’t go to school, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get the 3 o’clock munchies. For the last two years, which we are now affectionately referring to as the “twin years”, I just went to the grocery store and bought the pre-packaged stuff just like everyone else. There is an equation in life, particularly when life gets very hectic, that says sometimes it’s easier to just spend the money in order to save the time.
But no longer is it easier to spend the money. My old ‘cooking self’ is back again, and I am now on the hunt for after school snacks that can be made at home. I know, most moms would just mix some peanuts, raisins and m&m’s and call it done but me, no, I have to bake. (Besides, baking with the kids counts as homeschooling right?)
In our house after school snacks must a) be liked by all the kids and b) be somewhat healthy. I frequently allow one snack (like the following brownie) and then if my kids are still hungry they can munch on fruits and veggies until dinner. (After all, if they spoil their dinner on fruits and vegetables, is it really that awful?)
With that said, here’s a brownie that fit’s the bill. All of my kids like it, and it is made with wheat flour.
Fudgy Wheat Brownies
You will need:
½ cup butter
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate (don’t substitute), coarsely chopped
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
¼ tsp baking soda
½ cup chopped nuts (optional of course)
Directions:
In a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom, melt butter and unsweetened chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat when melted.
Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a square bake pan (8 x 8 x 2-in.) and set aside.
Stir sugar into cooled chocolate mixture in saucepan. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating with a wooden sppon just until combined. Stir in the vanilla.
In a small mixing bowl stir together the flour and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture and stir just until combined. Stir in the nuts last.
Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.
Want a secret to sneak in some potassium? Mash a ripe banana and add it to the batter. Increase the flour to 1 whole cup.
Want More Recipes? Check out the Winter ’06 Cookbook! (Spring coming soon!)
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