WALNUT DAY: Rocky Road Brownie Bars

Today is National Walnut Day, and I thought I'd focus today on one of the ways to incorporate walnuts in baked goods, specifically Brownies. Now, I often add chopped walnuts to Brownies, but here's a 1971 Diamond Walnuts Retro Ad & Recipe for Rocky Road Brownies. The recipe really transforms your favorite brownies into Rocky Road Bars with a thick Rocky Road frosting. So make a batch of brownies either from a box or from scratch and follow these directions. Be sure to add walnuts to the brownies, too!

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIE BARS

Ingredients
9-inch square pan of brownies
1 ounce square unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons soft butter
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup coarsely-chopped walnuts

Directions
Prepare brownies from your own recipe or a mix. Melt chocolate. Combine with soft butter, powdered sugar and milk; beat smooth. Spread over top of cooled brownies. Sprinkle with marshmallows and walnuts. With small spatula, swirl frosting around marshmallows and walnuts. Let frosting set before cutting.

Chocolate Bundt Cake with Sweet Walnut Layer

Walnuts and Chocolate go so well together! In this Chocolate Bundt Cake, walnuts are used as the sweet layer. I first saw this recipe on Fine Cooking. I made a few changes, but the essence is there. I'm sure you'll make a few changes, too. The original recipe called for plain yogurt. I've made this bundt cake with Greek yogurt ... a little tangy, but very tasty, but actually I prefer sour cream for richness. Try it both ways and see what you think!

Chocolate Bundt Cake with Sweet Walnut Layer

Ingredients

Cake
1 1/4 cups all purpose four
3/4 cup dark cocoa
Dash of Salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 1/2 cups sour cream (or Greek yogurt if you want more tang)
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar
3 ounces of dark chocolate (60-70% cacao) I like it really dark
1 Tbsp powdered sugar-optional

Walnut Layer
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Directions
Preheat oven to 350.
Oil bundt pan.
Whisk in bowl flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and soda. Then sift into another bowl.
In a different bowl, whisk melted butter and oil, and then add eggs and egg whites. Fold in sour cream, vanilla extract, and sugar.
Melt chocolate in double boiler or saucepan over saucepan over simmering water.
Fold chocolate into batter.
Add dry ingredients and stir until combined. Do not overmix.
Mix melted butter, walnuts, and brown sugar together.
Pour half batter into pan and place walnut layer on top of batter.
Fill with remaining batter.
Bake 35-45 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on wire rack in pan for 15 minutes and then, flip over on rack.
Top with powder sugar (optional)

CHOCOLATE WALNUT CLUSTERS: National Walnut Day

Yesterday was National Cherry Cobbler Day, but it was also National Walnut Day! You know I love retro ads, and this 1950 Retro Ad & Recipe from Diamond Walnuts sure fits the bill to celebrate the holiday.  Love the graphics--and the recipes. I would substitute good quality very dark chocolate instead of unsweetened chocolate  -- and butter instead of margarine, but it's up to you! Celebrate National Walnut Day. Sometimes you feel like a Nut!