Decadent

One of my good friends (who also loves to bake) gave me "Brownies in a Jar" as part of my Christmas gift last year and oh. my. word! were they ever good. So, I set off on a quest to find a recipe on the Internet for "Brownies in a Jar" and this is the recipe I located, which, from what I can tell, matches pretty much exactly what my friend gave me. For those of you who don't know what I mean by "in a jar", the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips) were layered in a canning jar topped with a decorated lid. Also included with this gift were the directions for completing the brownie recipe . . . I added the margarine, eggs and vanilla. It's a really cool gift and I think I'll be giving a few out to my friends this year.

So, if you want a decadent chocolate experience, try this. You don't have to layer the dry ingredients in a jar unless you want to give the brownies away. But trust me, after you make these once, you may have a hard time giving them away . . . treat yourself this weekend and mix up a batch of these.

Brownies in a Jar

1 quart jar

3/4 C. flour

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 C. cocoa

1 1/4 C. white sugar

1 C. chocolate chips

Combine flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. Measure out the sugar and add to the jar. Measure cocoa and add to the jar as well . . . do not mix. Add the flour mixture. Lastly, add the chocolate chips. Seal jar and label with the following:

1. Place contents of the jar into a large mixing bowl.

2. Add 1/2 C. melted butter or margarine, 2 eggs and 2 tsp. vanilla.

3. Stir vigorously.

4. Spread and smooth into a greased 8 x 8 in. pan.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes.

6. Cool pan on rack. Slice and ENJOY!