Today my family got together for a little “good luck” send off for my little brother. Next week he leaves for grad school down in Florida where he will be studying Statistics and taking after his big sister… 
Jeff and I brought with us Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza and homemade deserts!
Desert 1: Chippy Blond Brownies
Please forgive the Ziploc containers…I made this dish at Jeff’s house so I brought the ingredients along with me. Being a guy I wasn’t sure he would have flour and brown sugar…:)
INGREDIENTS:
* 6 Tbs butter, softened
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 1-1/4 cups flour
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one. Beat in the vanilla.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture until blended.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans.
4. Spread into a greased 11×7 pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until the toothpick test passes.
SERVINGS: 2 dozen
RESULT:
I also made some mini banana muffins as a special request for my brother. This recipe was super easy and quick.
Desert 2: Banana-chip mini cupcakes
INGREDIENTS:
* 1 package (14 ounces) banana quick bread and muffin mix
* 3/4 cup water
* 1/3 cup sour cream
* 1 egg
* 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips, divided
* 1 Tbs shortening
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, combine the muffin mix, water, sour cream and egg; stir just until moistened. Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
2. Fill greased or lined mini muffin cups. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until the toothpick test passes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
3. Once cooled, in a microwave safe bowl combine the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and shortening; heat until smooth. Dip the cupcakes into the chocolate.
SERVINGS: 3-1/2 dozen
RESULT:
Everyone loved the deserts and pizza!
Tomorrow Jeff and I are heading to the PGA championship in Koehler WI so check back tomorrow for some great pictures from the course.
*Both recipes were from the Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook
