If there’s one person who really knows how to save a dime, it’s my mom.
She had a good point when she taught me how to make everything starting at square one, or as she says–the old-fashioned way.
If your financial situation is anything like mine, then you understand that sometimes college students have to come up with creative ways to feed ourselves. This weekend I was able to make homemade cheese pizza and delicious fudge brownies completely from scratch.
The pizza turned out to be mediocre, but I was so hungry that it didn’t matter. However, the brownies were to-die-for.
I made both of these dishes using only ingredients found in my kitchen, aside from the flour borrowed from my neighbor.
For the brownies you will need: cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, butter, eggs, sugar, confectioner’s sugar, honey, vanilla extract and salt.
(Here’s a tip: vanilla isn’t too expensive but I was able to find imitation vanilla for about half the price at WinCo Foods).
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan so the brownies don’t stick.
In a large microwaveable bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter.
Stir in sugar, eggs, and one teaspoon of vanilla.
Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook, seriously.
To make the frosting: Combine three tablespoons of butter, three tablespoons of cocoa, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon vanilla, and one cup confectioners’ sugar.
Be sure to frost the brownies while they are still warm.
Fudgy Brownies
1/2 cup of butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Frosting
3 tablespoons softened butter
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Molly Spencer can be reached at [email protected]