Relaxing with Brownies?...

Well, not in that way, but it's been a very long Tuesday (and week for that matter) so what better way to let it all go than to bake something good. It's not even a healthy recipe I made so it has to be even more relaxing than usual (it is still whole grain, so we're ok).

They were supposed to be S'mores brownies but I lacked Graham crackers so I substituted pretzel bits. Hoorah!

Yes to the relaxing effects of Cacao...

S'more Brownies of Mine

Courtesy of Joy the Baker and with inspirational pictures from Half Baked Baker

1 1/2 cups flour (white whole wheat, of course)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter + 1/2 cup canola oil

6 oz unsweetened bakers chocolate, chopped

5 large eggs

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

1 cup cane sugar (white sugar)

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup broken graham crackers *But, I subbed about 1 cup of broken up pretzel bits

12-20 large marshmallows, broken in half, to coat the top of the batter

So many elements to savor...

Combine the butter and chopped chocolate in a small bowl over a simmering double boiler configuration, stirring to melt and combine each. Combine oil, eggs, and sugar in a medium bowl. Combine these two mixtures, adding the vanilla.

In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients (sift...) and add slowly to the wet mixture.

Preheat oven to 350 and empty batter into 13x9 or so inch pan, preferably lined with parchment, and top with crumbled pretzels. If you prefer, combine the pretzel bits with the batter prior to pouring, or swirl it in, layering slightly. Top with torn marshmallow bits, side by side.

Bake for about 30 minutes, but check, as they can easily be overcooked! Mine were a bit dry and cake-like (which may have been due to the fact that I first read teaspoons of baking powder as tablespoons, which I did correct, but...). They had nice flavor and texture nonetheless and were very well received. Oh, chocolate you are man's friend...