Today is the last of Food Network's series on Comfort Foods; as we move into spring, our theme will transition to Sensational Sides; watch for some grilling from this blog; once the weather warms, I could cook almost everything on the grill (she said as it is snowing outside at the moment!). While the notion of comfort food typically elicits thoughts of soup, casseroles and hearty stews, tell me one person who doesn't feel comforted if given a plate of seriously delicious brownies. And these Chocolate Chip Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting are seriously delish!
My children, both adults, never have the time to read my blog (trust me if you are 30 and you tell your mother 'you don't have time' you need to try and pull from some resource and remember how lucky you are that she didn't say that to you all the time, OK?). Anyway, I feel like I can confess this to you. These were the brownies I craved the most when my girls were young and probably because they had toasted pecans in them, lots and lots of toasted pecans. Being the good mom that I was I dutifully made pan after pan of brownies over the years without nuts to appease my youngest daughter's dislike of them, but I missed them. For me they are fundamental so it was just one of those many small ways that we show love to our kids. So, I think I might have come home after dropping her off at college, made a pan and sat and ate the whole thing myself. OK, maybe not...but I could have. Funny about individual tastes, I always felt her loss because these are simply the best. Without leavening, they are certainly not cake-like brownies but the gooey component comes more from melted chocolate chips than the dough and they are really chock full of toasted (have I mentioned absolutely critical in my book?) pecans covered with a slightly tangy cream cheese frosting. I would be craving some now just writing that sentence except that I just had one with coffee. Of course they are perfect for breakfast!
Inspired from a recipe in one of my vintage Junior League Cookbooks, they are so perfect that the ONLY thing I've done is to garnish the frosting with some shaved chocolate. So unlike me to not have to make a change but they are that good. I've had some good brownies over the years, but this combination? The best. Even better than my brownies made with a touch of red wine and I think those are 'the bomb.'
They're calling me from the kitchen...hurry over and you might be able to snag one for yourself. And I mean HURRY!!
Check out the contributions from all of the bloggers who contribute recipes to The Food Networks #ComfortFoodFeast!
Dishing with Divya: Beetroot Brownies
Creative Culinary: Chocolate Chip Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Brownies with Condensed Milk
Food for 7 Stages of Life: Easy Eggless Brownies Recipe
The Mom 100: Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Chocolate Brownie Pie (GF and Sugar Free)
Taste with the Eyes: Chili Chocolate Brownies with Gochugaru, Ginger, Sesame Seed, Olive Oil, Fleur de Sel
Swing Eats: Mexican Cocoa Brownies with an Almond & Pepitas Crust (gluten-free)
FN Dish: 10 Ways to Revolutionize Your Brownie Intake
