December 8th is National Brownie Day. On the website for Palmer House-Hilton in Chicago they state, “In 1893, Bertha Palmer requested the pastry team at the renowned Palmer House hotel create a dessert suitable for ladies attending the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. The team created a chocolate, cake-like treat that could be easily transported to and from this major event.”
The chef created the “Palmer House Brownie with walnuts and an apricot glaze.” It is still on the menu 131 years later. I am a big fan of brownies. If you go back to April 20th “It’s all Chinese to Me…” you can read about a brownie tragedy that I had.
I have reviewed some cookbooks for brownie recipes. I have a few good books, with equally good recipes. The first such book is “1996 Brown Family Reunion Heirloom Cookbook.” The entry is “Judy’s Hershey Brownies” submitted by my cousin Teri. Aunt Judy could make some good brownies when I was growing up. The best part was the icing-sugar, butter, milk, and chocolate chips!
The next book is “The Wise Encyclopedia of Cookery” by Wm. H. Wise and Co. published in 1949. This 1,329 page book has been called upon for lots of recipes.
There are several different brownie recipes in this seventy five year old book. The first is a Butterscotch brownie, while it sounds tasty, it is not a chocolate treat. Then there is one using unsweetened chocolate, and another with powdered cocoa. Both look good. Then the last recipe is “Peppermint Cream Brownies”…
This is a winning recipe! First of all, I learned in Boy Scouts about sneaking a little peppermint schnapps into hot chocolate drinks. Perhaps not legal but darn good. Back to the recipe for brownies, there are chopped nuts and raisins added to the chocolate. Then they are poured into, and cooked in two pans (pretty thin brownies.) When they are put together like a layered cake, there is a butter, sugar, milk and peppermint spread that goes between the two brownie cakes. Then the top is dusted with powdered sugar.
I have one last book for some recipes on Brownies. “The Lost Art of Cooking with Your Grandmother’s Secret Ingredient-Lard” by the Editors of GRIT Magazine, 2012. For people who enjoy just reading cookbooks, this entire book is full of genuine mouthwatering recipes, not just for brownies.
Like in the preceding book, there are three chocolate brownie recipes included. The first two have some small changes based on what type of chocolate used, and of course, the ingredient lard. Their last recipe may be the finest brownie recipe ever!
“Brownie Torte Deluxe” is “a three layer brownie cake bursting with marshmallow creme and dripping with chocolate sauce.” Then one is to garnish with chopped nuts and maraschino cherries.
Ohhh, what to cook tomorrow?
P.S. Because it is Brownie day, I thought I would add this book into the mix, Becky’s Boarding House – A Brownie Scout Story” by Eleanor Thomas, published 1952.
I had bought this for my young daughter years ago, from an elderly book dealer that sold books from her home by appointment only. She taught an evening class on old book repair at Michigan State University. I took her class, and she really encouraged me to continue building my library. Her class on how to handle and work with fragile and collectable books, was very enlightening.
I have since been able to work on many books to make them more accessible and readable again. While I do have some books that are very collectable, and easily damaged, I want most of my books to be used. I teach my kids, and grandkids how to properly handle books…and then to enjoy them. Reading from some unusual old book, and then to see wonderful illustrations, as they hold the book in their hands, is so much more gratifying than just looking on a screen or computer.
Almost every time I have family visit, I invite them into the library for a quick literary treat-a snack or sweet dessert to munch on. (“Let’s Go to the Library” Lisl Well, 1990.)
I try not to force too much at once, that they may get sick or hesitant to return. I want those repeat visits. So like various types of brownies-who doesn’t like brownies-there is always something tasty in the library.
Thanks for reading.
Librarytomes 