Cookiemama's Corner

They call me Cookiemama. Whenever I arrive somewhere, it’s always the same greeting, “What did you bring? Or “What did you bake?” It’s not “Hi Cookie, good to see you” but that’s okay, I don’t mind. You see, I was born with a spatula in my hand. My Italian heritage, my nana living with us in my youth, and my family in the restaurant business from toddler to my adult years, I could mix batter before I could walk. I love to cook and bake. Some people take up a sport, play golf or a craft and knit or crochet to relax. Me? I bake! I cook! It relaxes me. The more people I feed, the happier this Italiano mama is. I can hear my nana now, “Eat something, you’ll feel better”. She was right, food is an international language that brings everyone together. I love to share recipes. I’m often asked for a lot of my recipes and cooking tips. Some of my cookie recipes have resulted in a few marriage proposals, and pleas of undying love for my cooking. (LOL). When Terri suggested I share my recipes and ‘cookie-isms’ with friends, I said why not, and so here I am.

I was looking through my extensive recipe collection for a favorite, yet easy treat to start with, it was tough task. I wanted it to be something for this time of year, when picnics, family cookouts and gatherings were in season. It was when I was in the local Walmart that it hit me, or should I say, I almost hit ‘it’. Smack in the front of the store a huge display of Hershey bars, marshmallows and graham crackers. No, it’s not a recipe for S’mores. Everyone knows how to make those. So, how about a delicious treat that puts two favorites together. I present to you, “Smores Brownies”. Easy to bake and yummy, as my taste testers will tell you. As with all the recipes I will eventually share with you, I include notes, and tips that I discovered that helped me with that particular recipe. I find it nice to see tips on a recipe that you’ve never tried before. I’m not a trained chef, but an experienced home cook and baker, and there is nothing more I love than trying out recipes from real people, like myself, or playing in the kitchen as I like to call it and coming up with something others will like.

That is how the ‘S’mores Brownies were born.

Here we go. You will need: One recipe of your favorite fudge brownies. Your own or a box mix, enough for a 13x9 pan. (Go ahead, use a box mix, I won’t tell. It’s easier and you’ll get out of the hot summer kitchen faster)

3 Cups of mini marshmallows

3 whole graham crackers, broken into small pieces

2 Hershey Bars, cut up into tiny pieces

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease the bottom only of a 13x9-inch baking pan.

Prepare brownies per your recipe or as package directs if using a mix. Spread into the prepared pan.

Bake in a 350 degree oven, about 25 - 28 minutes.*Baking times may vary, as you know your own oven temps. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle the mini marshmallows on top of the brownies. Sprinkle the graham cracker pieces over the marshmallows.

Set oven to broil. Place the brownies 8 inches below broiler, for about 30 seconds to one minute. WATCH CLOSELY, they will brown fast and burn if you’re not careful. Remove immediately once the marshmallows begin to get that nice light golden brown color. Immediately sprinkle the cut up Hershey bars over the top. Let stand until room temperature. You can serve them warm, if you would like of course.

Once cooled completely, cut into squares. Big, small, whatever your preference.

Bear with me as now I will give you few pointers that I discovered while coming up and test baking this recipe.

Please use care during the broiling phase. The marshmallows brown in seconds. They burn quickly, and then the smoke detector will sound off, and the Fire Department will be at your door, looking to take the offending brownies into custody. You know, just to make sure they’re okay, wink wink.

To cut brownies easier, use a PLASTIC knife. This goes for any brownie recipe. Believe me, it’s the best way. You’re brownies will have nice, clean edges.

For the Smores brownies, once they have cooled to room temperature, I found that by placing them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes prior to cutting, made it easier and less messy to cut.

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in your refrigerator.

There that’s it. My first recipe to share. I have other favorites to share. Recipes for cookies, desserts, dinner, Italian favorites. There’s usually a short story around most of them, I’ll share that too. Hey, I’m Italian, it’s what I do.

Anytime you need to reach me to ask about this or any recipe or have a recipe to share with me, please I would love to hear from you. You can find me at:

cookiemamacorner@aol.com Remember, a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. Mangia!