The Bee's Knees

Brownies.

It was so nice, Sunday past. We sprang forward and I played peekaboo with the sun late afternoon. The joy!

And I quote (myself), "Joy of Cooking Book Club Brownies are an after dinner favorite in our house. Moist and cakey, they are the best of both worlds when it comes to brownies. These can be addictive, so bake with caution."

I feel rather protective of Joy's Book Club Brownies.

Why?

Because they are good.

They are dead simple. No rocket science involved.

All you need to do is melt a stick of unsalted butter with 4 ounces baking chocolate. I do this in a small aluminum pan over a gentle flame (before you say "use the microwave", I'll say "we don't have a microwave").

DOUBLE BOILER NEED NOT APPLY.

While that's out of sight, out of mind (for the moment), crack four large eggs into a bowl and drop in a teaspoon of vanilla (set that aside).

While I've got your attention...man yourself with a rubber spatula !pronto!, and give the melting butter and chocolate a thorough stir...Phew, that was a close call! You can probably turn off the heat at this point. Things should continue to melt at a quiet pace while you finish prepping the rest of the ingredients.

With crisis averted, measure out 1 3/4 cup sugar into the bowl you plan to do your mixing in.

In a smaller bowl whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt.

When the chocolate and butter have melted to completion, pour into the bowl that is housing the sugar. Mix well.

Add the eggs/vanilla. Mix vigorously until the eggs have disappeared.

Finally, with gentle persuasion, fold in the dry ingredients until just combined (no more, no less).

The time has come. Pour the brownie batter into a prepared 9"x9" square pan (prepared = oiled or buttered with a sheet of parchment).

Bake at 350° for 35 minutes on the center rack.

Say it three times slow...

Brownies.

Brownies.

Brownies.

They bring out the kid in me. They really do. Just ask Roberto. He'll tell you that just last night as we were waiting for espresso to percolate (right before we chowed down with brownie) I demonstrated hopscotch on our kitchen tile.

Brownies.