Neat Freak Brownies

On a cold, gray, rainy day, it's quite comforting to dig into one of these dense little handfuls - especially fireside, with a cup of coffee. *these taste superb with coffee, btw*

What can I say? These are simple - very easy to put together.

It's blond brownie batter that you bake up in a muffin tin, bypassing the whole cutting-into-bars thing; 

 Cleanup is quick: muffin cups lined with paper = no mess! Hence, the title. 

I surely don't qualify as a neat freak, but I still love this recipe. 

These are hugely popular with those that love chocolate chip cookies as well as those who love brownies; they combine the taste of both a chewy cookie and that of a dense, fudge-like brownie.  Crisp, crackly tops; chewy/fudgey below- who wouldn't love these?

Any number of add-ins can be used... equal parts chopped pecans & chocolate chunks is always a popular mix, but sometimes, it's nice to have just plain chocolate. Using only pecans turn out a praline-like confection; using only hazelnuts yields a deeply delicious treat, especially when eaten with coffee.

Brown Sugar Brownies
from realsimple.com // Yield: 12

1 1/2 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1/2 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER

8 TABLESPOONS (1 STICK) SALTED BUTTER, MELTED*
1/2 CUP WHITE SUGAR

1 CUP BROWN SUGAR

1 EGG

3 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT

1 1/2 CUPS CHOCOLATE CHIPS**

*or use 1/2 CUP OIL, like sunflower, peanut,
 or safflower, in place of butter  
** or other add-ins; chopped pecans, hazelnuts, or a mix of nuts and chocolate

Heat oven to 350F.  Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

Whisk together flour & baking powder.

In another bowl, combine butter & sugars, whisk til smooth. Whisk in egg and vanilla.

Gradually add flour mixture, stir to combine.

Add the chocolate chips or chopped pecans.

Devide dough evenly among prepared muffin cups.

Bake until edges are slightly golden and centers have just set, 25-30 minutes in a pre-heated oven. 

Will be crusty on top, moist underneath.

Don't bother with the toothpick test. They may seem to be undone, but they set up more as they cool.

Enjoy! Good both warm and room-temp.

Can also be made as bar cookies, just double all ingredients and bake at 350F in a

greased 13x9 inch pan for a bit longer than the time called for above.