Lumberjack's Browines

I spend most of my time in the back country of Northern Ontario, Canada. I live amongst the goats and caribou, winds and rains, and at the mercy of nature's temper.

Every now and then, I need a treat, something to tickle my fancy after a long day in the bush.

This recipe was brought over from County Clare, Ireland, with my great grandmother. My grandmother, a farming woman, used to fill the farmhouse with the sweet smell of baking every day, and this was my favorite.

As a special tribute to her, I'm lucky enough to have her cast iron skillet, which I've lovingly restored and use for all the recipes she's passed down to me.

As an added bonus, this recipe is great for kids! It's quite forgiving and quite rewarding! The only real risk is if you mix up the sugar with the salt... which I've done... more times than I'd care to admit.

I hope you enjoy this recipe one as much as I do... and know that it comes to you from a long line of love.

Equipment

• An oven
• Stove
• Saucepan
• A banking pan or cast iron skillet
• Measuring cups and spoons
• A wooden spoon (or other mixer)
• A toothpick

Ingredients

• ½ cup of unsalted butter
• 3 ounces of unsweetened chocolate
• 1 ¼ cups white granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon valnilla
• 2 eggs
• ⅔ cup all purpose flour
• ½ baking powder
• ½ salt
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• Optional: ½ nuts (walnuts or chopped pecans are nice)

1. Pop your cast iron skillet or baking pan in the oven and preheat it to 350°F
2. Get your saucepan and put the unsalted butter and unsweetened chocolate in it. Melt them together on the stove on a low heat. Stir them together until you get a smooth consistency before removing it from the heat.

1. Add the vanilla and white sugar to the chocolate butter mixture.
2. Mix it all together until it's well combined.

1. Now add the two eggs, and mix some more.

1. Now add the baking powder, salt and flour. Mix the batter again until it's smooth and consistent throughout.
2. If you're adding nuts, now's the time to do it! Don't forget to mix!

1. Take your baking pan or cast iron skillet out of the preheated oven and place it on a trivet.
2. Add the 2 tablespoons of salted butter and spread it around the entire surface, getting all sides and corners.
3. This step really add a depth of flavour to your brownies, and will help keep you warm on cold nights.
4. With your pan or skillet nicely buttered, pour your brownie batter into it, letting it push the melted butter up to the sides.
5. Once you've got every last bit of batter transferred, get the batter back in the preheated oven and bake it for 30-35 minutes (depending on your oven.).
6. While you're waiting for the brownies to bake, I suggest passing the time by breathing in some fresh air, watching some birds or pollinators do their things... Observe nature a little bit... it'll do you good.
7. Once the brownies start looking like they're baked, take them out and test them with a toothpick, by sliding the toothpick into the middle of the brownies, and extracting it. If the toothpick comes out clean, the brownies are done! If there's still some batter on the toothpick, the brownies need a few more minutes baking time.
8. Once baked, let them cool, before cutting and enjoying them.

Well, now you have a batch of fresh, homemade brownies to do with as you please. If you're so inclined, cut a piece while they're still warm and add a scoop of your favourite ice cream to make "brownie à la mode."

If you try this recipe and find you enjoyed it, know that the women who made it possible would be only too happy to know that your day was a little bit sweeter.

Enjoy!