by jphilo | May 4, 2016 | Recipes
A couple weeks ago, our Connection Group prepared the meal for a church fundraiser. I was in charge of dessert–buttermilk brownies with ice cream, as well as non-dairy buttermilk brownies without ice cream for those who needed that option, and Rice Krispie treats for the gluten-free, dairy-free contingent.
The brownies were a hit, and I was assigned brownie duty for all upcoming fundraisers. In case you’re looking for an easy recipe that will please a crowd, here’s the dairy version as the non-dairy recipe has appeared on Gravel Road before.
Dairy Free Buttermilk Brownies
Bars:
1 cup butter
1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup water
2 cups unbleached flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon soda
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 375°. In saucepan, combine butter, cocoa, and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, soda, and salt. Stir in eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add cocoa mixture. Mix till well-blended. Pour into a greased 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 inch baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Immediately pour frosting over bars. Spread evenly. Cool and cut into squares.
Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons cocoa
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
In saucepan, mix 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup buttermilk, and 3 tablespoons cocoa. Cook and stir until boiling. Remove from heat. Beat in powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over bars as soon as they come out of the oven. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.
by jphilo | Mar 25, 2016 | Top Ten Tuesday
Though she’s a Gloomy Gus, Debbie Downer has a way of making people laugh. So did this personalized Debbie Downer list from March of 2012. Hopefully, it’ll turn you into a Perky Polly on this Fantastic Friday.
10. Spring is way too early this year. See this post for further explanation.
Wah. Wah.
9. It’s been cloudy and rainy. Which is poking holes in my summer drought theory.
Wah. Wah.
8. I caught a cold on the Ides of March. Etu, immune system?
Wah. Wah.
7. I didn’t take out stock in a tissue company before this cold started.
Wah. Wah.
6. My recent upgrade to OS X Lion has not gone as smoothly as Apple promised.
Wah. Wah.
5. iCloud is looming on the horizon.
Wah. Wah.
4. The agent who promised she’d be in touch soon about my proposal still hasn’t.
Wah. Wah.
3. I can now order from the Senior Citizen menu at I Hop.
Wah. Wah.
2. No chocolate since Ash Wednesday.
Wah. Wah.
1. Debbie Downer would be ashamed to post this list, but I’m not.
Wah. Wah.
by jphilo | Nov 20, 2014 | Three Thoughts for Thursday
- For those of you concerned about the upcoming choca-pocalypse, there is hope. If–and this is a big if–all of us band together to implement the chocolate conservation practices outlined in this article. Are you with me on this?
- Nearly lost in translation: “Uh-oh, spaghetti-oes.” Or as my grandson says, “Uh-oh, Betty goes.”
- Thanksgiving food that’s got me salivating already: A tie between tapioca fruit salad and cherry pie. You?
by jphilo | Nov 12, 2013 | Top Ten Tuesday
The past week and a half have been chock full of grandma duty and other family fun. So much fun, blogging is on the back burner. Therefore, for the next few days Gravel Road will reprise popular posts from the past. Today’s post first appeared on March 23, 2012. Enjoy!
This March we’ve had lots of good news. A grandchild on the way. Our Ohio kids moving closer to home in August. A sizable tax refund. Even so, I feel like Debbie Downer’s double today. Since I can’t stop the feeling, here are my top ten reasons for being a Debbie Downer when I should be Perky Polly:
10. Spring is way too early this year. See this post for further explanation.
Wah. Wah.
9. It’s been cloudy and rainy. Which is poking holes in my summer drought theory.
Wah. Wah.
8. I caught a cold on the Ides of March. Etu, immune system?
Wah. Wah.
7. I didn’t take out stock in a tissue company before this cold started.
Wah. Wah.
6. My recent upgrade to OS X Lion has not gone as smoothly as Apple promised.
Wah. Wah.
5. iCloud is looming on the horizon.
Wah. Wah.
4. The agent who promised she’d be in touch soon about my proposal still hasn’t.
Wah. Wah.
3. I can now order from the Senior Citizen menu at I Hop.
Wah. Wah.
2. No chocolate since Ash Wednesday.
Wah. Wah.
1. Debbie Downer would be ashamed to post this list, but I’m not.
Wah. Wah.
by jphilo | Feb 14, 2013 | Three Thoughts for Thursday
- A little light remained in the western sky last night at 6:40. The eastern horizon was brightening at 6:45 this morning. Lovely proof that daylight hours are increasing.
- Yesterday husband wrapped a cut on his finger with a Lincoln Band Aid. What a lovely way to honor our 16th president’s birthday month!
- When Valentine’s Day falls during Lent, do florists see an uptick and chocolatiers a down tick in sales? Which lovely gift would you rather receive on Valentine’s Day?
