Saturday, September 12, 2015

Kahlua Brownies With White and Dark Chocolate #recipe #giveaway #bookclub @AbbottMysteries

Welcome to Book Club Week! This is possibly the best week in the year, in my humble opinion. We are so glad you have invited us and our books to your book club.  Naturally, we brought a contribution for the table as well as our book to talk about.

My own book club has two rules: 

Rule # 1: There must be chocolate
Rule # 2: There must be wine.

We’re thinking that these black and white chocolate Kahlua brownies will cover both. But if not, then allow us to assure you, they are very good with white wine, red wine and rosé.  We are very happy to contribute this recipe. 


On our recent Facebook ‘survey’ about favorite desserts, brownies came out top of the list. That sent me scampering for a great recipe.  I found this one in my printed recipe files and, of course, tweaked it. Alas it is one of those where the original source is not visible, but here’s my huge vote of thanks to whoever originated it. 

We liked it so much that we ‘practiced’ making it four times. Ahem. We've done it with a sprinkle of sea salt and with toasted slivered almonds and twice just choco.  We love all the versions.

It was a big hit at my book club and at several social events. It’s so easy (one bowl, no mixers needed, although I still use the stand mixer on stir) and it’s a keeper.

As for the book, we’re very excited to bring THE MARSH MADNESS, the fourth book collector mystery to your meeting. But more about that after we make the brownies.






You will need:
2 cups granulated white sugar
1 14 cups all purpose pre-sifted flour
23 cups good quality cocoa (we used Penzey’s)
12 teaspoon baking soda
12 teaspoon salt
12 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butter, melted and cooled (we melted it in the microwave and stuck the bowl in the fridge after – very quick)
4 extra large eggs, at room temperature
14 cup Kahlua
2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
½ cup toasted slivered almond
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
¼ cup white chocoate chips
Sprinkle of pink sea salt (optional)
Tin foil

All you do is:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease and flour a 13x9x2 baking dish and set aside (can use a mix of cocoa and flour to prevent white edges around finished brownies) In a big bowl combine  (by hand or stir with mixer)  sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.




Add melted butter.




Add eggs, vanilla, and Kahlua, and stir with a wooden spoon just until blended (Do not over mix).

Put batter in prepared baking dish, evening out the batter with a spatula.


Bake for 40- 45 minutes or until the edges of brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the dish.

Remove from the oven and put dish on wire rack to cool.


Immediately sprinkle dark chocolate chips over top of hot brownies.




Cover baking dish with tin foil to hold in heat.
After about 5 minutes, spread melted chips over the brownies with a spatula.
Immediately randomly sprinkle white chocolate over the frosting, and cover with foil for a couple of minutes.
When white chocolate is melted, gently swirl chips into the dark chocolate to create a marble pattern.



Add toasted almonds here and there.  Or sprinkle a bit of sea salt. We did it with and without almonds and sea salt. We like all the versions.  

This is the plain choco version.
Let cool thoroughly before cutting.



They are quite rich, so we found cutting into small squares was best. But then, you will know your book club or audience best. 

This makes a generous 9 x 13 pan.  We usually freeze some for brownie emergencies, of which there are many.

That shadowy figure known as Victoria Abbott is actually artist and photographer, Victoria Maffini and her mother, Mary Jane, author of three other mystery series.




And now to the book:  The Marsh Madness is the fourth outing for our young sleuth, Jordan Kelly Bingham.  It hit the shelves on September 1st and we'd like you to know it contains many delicious meals and there are no dogs on the table once you're past the cover.



  

Jordan is the research assistant and book scout to Vera Van Alst, wealthy curmudgeon and book collector.  Jordan’s also the first person in her large family to go straight.  The Marsh Madness brings Vera and Jordan and Uncle Kev (the less said about him the better!) to Summerlea, the palatial summer home of the wealthy Kauffman family for a special luncheon. The sole heir, Chadwick Kauffman will transfer a complete set of fine first edition of Ngaio Marsh’s mysteries. Vera will leave behind a satchel of cash, in turn.  Jordan has a raspberry dress for the occasion.  She has had her troubles what with murder and mayhem and it hasn’t always been easy staying on the right side of the law. She deserves this wonderful outing. After all, what could possibly go wrong? 
We loved writing this book!  We were given twenty-nine Ngaio Marsh books (thank you, Nancy Reid!) in pristine condition.  The re-reading was almost as much fun as the writing, except of course, we like to be the detectives.  



We hope you like it and you find time to nibble a brownie or two while you’re enjoying the ride. 

GIVEAWAY!  Because you've been such a great book club, we're offering one of our limited edition  book collector totebags.  Just leave a comment here. 





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56 comments:

  1. I have all of the ingredients to make these delicious brownies, and I'm having trouble sleeping…perhaps there will be Kahlúa Brownies in time for breakfast tomorrow! :-) Thanks for sharing the recipe. Happy Saturday! :-)

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    Replies
    1. thanks, Nicole! Brownies for Breakfast: yes!

      Hugs.

      MJ aka Victoria

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  2. Sound awesome! Thanks for sharing this recipe with us! And thanks for the chance to win a wonderful tote!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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  3. I am in love with the pictures of the Kahlua Brownies with white and dark chocolate! Oh my the brownies look so yummy. Thank you for sharing the recipe and giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. These brownies look absolutely sinful -- I must try them!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win your tote! kimdavishb@gmail.com

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  5. Ooh, pretty! Love the swirly topping. Gee, I haven't made a new dessert for a couple of weeks...

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  6. Fudge looks delectable! If I win the tote, does it also come with the fudge...LOL.

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  7. I have a new favorite brownie recipe!! And I just bought some pink sea salt--cannot wait too make them! Thanks so much for such a delicious and easy recipe!

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    1. I forgot to add my email - bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  8. I'd love to win the tote and fill it with books and brownies!!
    rebarger@bellsouth.net

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  9. Will have to try this recipe. It sounds chocolaty delicious.

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  10. Pouring Kahlua over store-bought brownies improves them. Not as good as homemade, but satisfactory. Bobbipad@gmail.com

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  11. These sound like a little bit of heaven! And the tote is beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win! jeaniedannheim ( at ) ymail ( dot ) com

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  12. Brownies and a tote bag ! Can't wait to try the recipe , and the book is on my wish list !
    kathambre@yahoo.com

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  13. You have outdone yourself with this recipe. WOW! They're beautiful, and I so want to bite into one. Just one to try, you know. ; ) What a marvelous treat for any book club!

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  14. Ok- now I know what I am serving the next time I host girls night in :) If the brownies taste half as good as they look I think they are my new fave recipe.

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  15. This recipe sounds wonderful. I can't wait to try it. I'm looking forward to reading your books. They sound like a fun read.

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  16. Delectable recipe. Thanks for this great giveaway. elliotbencan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I would love to have any one of this great group post your new releases on my free website: http://www.folkstalesthings.com

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  18. You had me with the picture, but your two book club rules cinched it. MMmmmmm.

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  19. Pretty as a picture--just like you two!
    I'm not fond of white chocolate, but it really makes a wonderful visual touch on the top.

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  20. Wonderful post, great recipe and lovely photo. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I love your pup and the stack of books! What fun. And ahem, you had to try this recipe a few times, did you? Lovely!

    ~Daryl / Avery

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  22. I can't wait to make this yummy treat! hc6275@gmail.com

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  23. I think the bottle of Kahlua in the pantry is calling my name. Brownies are the perfect book club treat because you can have "just one more" without the group watching you slice another huge piece of cake. And I think Pep and I need that tote bag. Just saying!

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  24. LOVE the post! Gonna try the brownies Vegan Style!

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  25. LOVE the post! Gonna try the brownies Vegan Style!

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  26. Brownies, books, and a tote. What could be better? 😉
    pmettert@yahoo.com

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  27. Does the alcohol burn off or can you just omit it? I'm allergic.(so very sad) I love the frosting effect of the vanilla swirl. They sound delicious.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  28. I love your books and have read every one. I'm not in this for the book. I already have it.

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  29. i love kahlua and brownies, am going to make these this week............

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  30. This recipe looks really delicious! Thanks for the chance to win..
    Amy F.
    salvatoresmom71@yahoo.com

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  31. Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! I'm like a kid in a candy store with all of this stuff

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  32. The brownies look delicious. I appreciate the recipes so I can make and taste them. Perfect combo: brownies, book and tote bag. servedogmom@yahoo.com

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  33. I love your books and the recipes, thanks for the chance to win!!!
    hseaside5@aim.com

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  34. What a fun time I would have filling up this tote with more cozy mysteries. Thanks for the chance to win one for my very own. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  35. That recipe...mmmm...cannot wait to try it for my next book club meeting in late October! mommy_to_zoe@hotmail.com. Maybe you can come to our meeting and we can discuss your book (I am in Ottawa ....so...)?

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  36. What an incredible sounding brownie recipe. May be needing to make them this weekend.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  37. The recipe sounds yummy! I can't wait to read this book. Thank-you for the giveaway.

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  38. This recipe sounds wonderful. I run two book clubs at the library where I work, one for boys and one for girls. We don't read cozy mysteries of course, but I do bake something for the kids each time (and I read a lot of cozies on my own). These brownies would definitely be a hit. rencw@verizon.net

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  39. Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe! I love chocolate and brownies and your books. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  40. Can't wait to try the brownies! Brownies are my favorite! Thanks for the chance to win a great tote.
    MarshaMysteryreader@yahoo.com

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  41. I just bought a bottle of Kahula last week, to use in another recipe. I'm delighted to have another recipe to try which uses that ingredient! dbahn@iw.net

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  42. Yum. Love your recipe. What good are books without a tote?
    cjreynolds52@comcast.net

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  43. Can't wait to try the Kahlua Brownies ... they sound and look wonderful. Thank you for sharing the recipe!!
    peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net

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  44. The brownies sound wonderful...will have to try them. I love the tote also. Thanks for the opportunity. cking78503@aol.com

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  45. I just read The Marsh Madness and thoroughly enjoyed it. Boy, do those brownies look delicious!

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  46. You had me at Kahlua and dark chocolate 😉
    autmflwr@yahoo.com

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  47. The brownies look great and the bag would be wonderful to tote my books and snacks.

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  48. These brownies look dangerous!! May just have to try them. Thanks for the contest. kayt18 at comcast dot net

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  49. *MUST* try these...the swirls alone are swoon-worthy! Thanks so much for the recipe and giveaway!

    lola_777 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  50. I love the rules of your book club!!!! And your books! Thanks for the recipe and give away!

    ejbs3s@yahoo.com

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