Cartoon of the Day: Campfire Horror Story

SUMMER OF LOVE BROWNIES

Summer is all about S'mores, and this summer is the 57th Anniversary of the Summer of Love! Can it be that long? These Summer of Love S'mores Brownies are perfect for a summer picnic in the park (Golden Gate Park?) or any time. Let's face it, we all need some Peace, Love, and S'mores now.

Summer of Love S'mores Brownies

Ingredients

Crust:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
• 2 Tbsp sugar
  
• Pinch fine salt

Brownies:

• 8 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 4 large cold eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:

• 4 cups large marshmallows

Directions

Position rack in lower third of oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F.
Line 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch.

For crust:
Lightly butter foil with some of melted butter. Stir rest of butter together with crumbs, sugar, and salt in medium bowl. Press crumb mixture evenly over bottom of pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Brownies:
Put butter and chocolate in medium microwave safe bowl. Melt in microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put butter and chocolate in heatproof bowl. Bring saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to very slow simmer; set bowl on pan without touching water. Stir occasionally until melted.
Stir light brown and white sugars, vanilla, and salt into melted chocolate. Add eggs and beat vigorously to make thick and glossy batter. Add flour and stir until just incorporated.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake until top is crispy and toothpick inserted into middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Remove from oven and carefully position rack about 6 inches from broiler and preheat on low.
Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can burn quickly), about 2 minutes. Or, use a small torch to brown the marshmallows.
Cool on rack, gently removing brownies from pan using aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from foil and fold away.
Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.

Teddy Bears Picnic Triple Chocolate Scones: Teddy Bear Picnic Day!

Today is National Teddy Bear Picnic Day. You may not think that's a food holiday, but when I was little I always had teddy bear tea parties, and I always served them scones. My grandparents were married in London, and I got my love of tea with milk and sugar -- and tea with scones and clotted cream -- from them. So for today's Teddy Bear Picnic Day, here's a recipe for Teddy Bear Picnic Triple Chocolate Scones. Of course you might want to add some honey on your scones. Bears love honey!

Be sure and scroll down to the 1932 recording of The Teddy Bears' Picnic. 

Teddy Bear Picnic Triple Chocolate Scones 

Ingredients 
1-3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
6 Tbsp unsalted butter (cold)
7-8 Tbsp whole milk (cold)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3 Tbsp chopped dark chocolate
Sugar Crystals

Directions 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Sift together dry ingredients in large bowl (not the chocolate chips or chocolate). Add chocolate chips and dark chocolate.
Cut butter into dry ingredients until size of peas.
Put vanilla into small bowl and add milk.
Pour most of milk mixture into dry mix and stir to moisten. Dough should be moist enough to form a soft ball, but not sticky.
If needed, additional milk can be added 1-2 teaspoons at time.
Turn dough onto lightly floured cutting board and press out with hand to approximately 1/2 inch thickness. (makes 10-12 scones or 8-12 wedges)
Do not over-knead dough. Use as little flour as possible to keep dough from sticking to board.
Cut into desired shapes and place on lightly greased baking sheet.
Lightly brush tops with milk (or not).
Sprinkle with sugar crystals (you can find this at King Arthur Flour or in the baking section of the market). (If using a biscuit cutter or glass, dip the cutting edge in flour first)
Bake for 10-15 minutes depending on size. Start checking at 9 minutes. Do not overbake!

Sprinkle again with large sugar crystals while scones are still hot for visual appeal.

Tip: Scones are like biscuits. To get a tender, flaky scone, dough should be handled as little as possible, and you should always use cold butter and cold milk.

Snowballs in July: Retro Ad with Recipe

Hot summer? Then take a gander at this advertisement from July 11, 1949 featuring that popular New York Night Spot, the Stork Club. Perfect for National Ice Cream Month!

Stork Club Snowballs!

Recipe: Top a scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, then 'snow it' under with coconut flakes!
Snowballs in July! "The Stork Club knows how to serve ice cream."