Whole Wheat Brownies

As some of you may know, I have a son that loves brownies. I decided to give whole wheat brownies a whirl and the results were fantastic. I used my "mystery flour" with a bread grind. I think next time I'll try soft white wheat with a pastry grind. Nobody complained about the texture at all (you really could not tell it was wheat) but I just want to experiment.

2 sticks of butter, melted
2 c. rapadura or sucanat*
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 c. cup chocolate chips

Stir together butter, rapadura and cocoa. At this point you should start licking the spoon.  Mix in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and mix until combined. Eat a couple handfuls of chocolate chips then throw the rest in.  Pour into a 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or so.  Then lick the spoon some more and get your face down into the bowl and lick that if you can.

Now comes the important part of eating brownies.  When your mom is using the restroom or is otherwise engaged, you should climb up on a stool and help yourself to as many brownies as you can.

*For those interested in rapadura or sucanat, here is an excellent link which discusses natural sweeteners.  Be sure to read the comments too as there is much information there as well.

The Best Chocolate Cake Ever

or at least that's what my husband thinks. I make it every year for his birthday at his request, and about 10 other times in the year, too. This makes a fairly dense cake and tastes very old-fashioned. It's not the fluffy, airy kind of chocolate cake you get from a box. One great thing about this is that it doesn't use eggs or any type of refrigerated foods - only stuff from your food storage!

3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
6 tbsp. baking cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 c water
2/3 c vegetable oil
2 tsp white vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Beat on low for 1 minute. Beat on medium for 1 minute. Pour into a greased (or sprayed) 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

We typically don't frost this, just dust with powdered sugar or whipped cream.