12 Days of Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen: Day 10

Bar cookies might not come to mind at Christmastime, but for me they are the equivalent of a bow and go gift.  Bar cookies are a real time saver since they don't have to be rolled and cut out.  Frosting is easy since it's typically done in the pan -- not individually -- and can be as simple as a sprinkling of powdered sugar.  Lemon Bars are quick and easy to make, especially when they start with a tasty shortcut!

© Margaret's Morsels

Microwave Magic

Microwave ovens are wonderful for reheating food.  They're also an excellent way to cook bacon, popcorn, fresh corn-on-the-cob and baked potatoes. You can also use a microwave to cook a made from scratch dessert.  You can go from this

to this

in just four minutes!

Homemade microwave brownies are easy to make.  They use the usual ingredients for brownies so chances are you've already got everything on hand.  Nuts are optional so, if you don't have any or don't like them, you can omit them.

To save even more time, let the butter or margarine soften at room temperature while you measure the remaining ingredients.  By the time you're done measuring, the butter will be soft.

Cream the butter and sugar together.

Mix in the eggs and vanilla.

Combine the dry ingredients and add to the creamed mixture.

Beat with a mixer until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Stir in nuts.  I prefer walnuts, but pecans are good too.  Unfortunately, I didn't have either one so I made this batch without nuts.

Pour the batter into a greased glass or microwave-safe baking dish.  I use an 8-inch square Pyrex dish.

To keep the brownies from overcooking, microwave them in one minute intervals.  Check the batter with a toothpick after each minute, repeating the process until the toothpick comes out clean.  There may be some crumbs on the toothpick, but that's ok.  It takes a total of four minutes for the brownies to cook in my 1100 watt microwave.  Depending on the wattage of your microwave, it may take more or less time.

Let the baking dish cool on a wire rack and then cut the brownies into squares.

Microwave brownies are great for those times when you want something sweet, but you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  The recipe also comes in handy when you find out at the last minute you need to make something homemade for a bake sale the next day.  The brownies can be cooked and cooled in less time than it would take to make something from a mix!

Microwave Brownies

16 Servings

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup cocoa

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

dash of salt

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cream the sugar and butter together in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer.  Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.  Combine the cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt.  Add to the creamed mixture, beating until combined.  Stir in nuts.  Spread in a greased 8-inch glass or microwave-safe baking dish.  Microwave on High in one minute intervals, testing with a toothpick after each minute.  Repeat the process until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool the baking dish on a wire rack and then cut the brownies into squares.

© Margaret's Morsels