Are you rich enough? Are you tough enough wooo?

The chocolate oatmeal almost candy bar
with strawberry modification

Its been a while I know. As in months and only one post I know. I am going to try to get these recipes up as soon as possible and start baking again after a 2 month break of traveling through Mexico and Guatemala. I got a lot of ideas and am looking foreword to getting back to my roots.

So these bars my roommate found through foodgawker.com one of my favorite sights to re-live my chubby childhood days. They are rich, I mean rich, Macaulay Culkin Richie Rich style. I added strawberries because they never hurt.

Zee Oatmeal Layer:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 sticks ( 8 ounces ) unsalted butter-at room temperature
2 cups (packed) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup walnuts

Zee Chocolate Layer:
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

How Does it work:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9X13 inch pan.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon(I always add more).
3. Beat the butter on medium speed until it is soft and creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat for 2 minutes, then add the eggs one at a time, beating for a minute after each egg goes in. Beat in the vanilla. You want it light and fluffy, cloud like. Mix in dry ingredients.
4. Set aside 1 1/2 to 2 cups of the mixture, then turn the remaining dough into the prepared 9X13 pan. Set aside while you prepare the next layer.
5. Set a heat proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water(or if you have a double boiler, yah) . Put the condensed milk, chocolate chips, butter and salt in the bowl and stir occasionally until the milk is warm and stir in the vanilla and 3/4 cup walnuts.
6. Slice strawberries and place on crust.
6. Pour the warm chocolate over the oatmeal crust, then scatter the remaining oatmeal mixture over the top. Don't try to spread the oatmeal, and don't worry about getting the topping even.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the chocolate layer is dull and starting to come away from the sides of the pan. Cool and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour then cut it up

Eat up.

Chili Brownies

To start the blog off I thought I would make lemon bars. It's heating up here and it seemed like a good idea. They turned out kinda wonkie great taste but just didn't congeal. So I went to a trusted recipe from a friend and fellow baker Abby Limmer. These brownies once tasted don't seem out of the ordinary but then the end note hits and your tongue warms up and you wondering if your having an allergic reaction. Nope its the chilies. For this batch I used chili de arbol( or tree chilies) since I am familiar with their heat. I would suggest you taste as you go to get the desired amount of zing. Enjoy!

Chili Brownies
Ingredients:
4 oz baking chocolate(I also added a bit of coco)
1 1/3 cup butter
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon (to taste)
1/4 tsp cayenne (to taste)
1/8 cup regular red chile (NOT chili powder)

Directions:
Melt the chocolate and butter together in a double boiler and set aside to cool. Beat the eggs until they are light yellow and then add the rest of the dry ingredients. When the butter chocolate misture has melted and warmed add it to the egg mixture, mix well.

Put brownie mix into a buttered 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 30 mins or until a knife or toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the pan.

You can always at some chocolate chips, shredded chocolate, I was even thinking a little candied ginger.

Hope you Enjoy!