Brownies

Lots of stories exist trying to explain the origin of the brownie.

One even states that they were invented in upstate New York by a college student whose nickname was Brownie. Whatever their origin, they are certainly the most popular of all bar cookies. Although for my other books I’ve written numerous recipes for brownies, I still have a few unusual ones for this volume.

Though many bar cookies are just thinner versions of cakes, brownies are in a special category. They are richer and chewier than any cake would ever be. I don’t think I would like a wedge of a round brownie covered with a rich frosting and eaten with a fork like a cake—brownies are casual and meant to be eaten out of hand. And besides, they are easier to make than almost any cake.