Bailey's Brownies

Sometimes, you're at home and you just get the hankering to bake something. Of course, you don't have everything on hand to make just whatever you want, but brownies? Brownies are easy and the supplies are almost always on hand. And this time I decided I wanted to jazz things up a bit and add in some Bailey's Irish Cream. Because everything is better with Bailey's, right? Especially chocolate things.

I mean, you can't really go wrong with the simple Bailey's in a glass with some ice cubes, but why not add it into your brownie batter as well? If you're thinking to yourself, I bet they don't even taste like Bailey's after they're baked... you're wrong! These really do have the signature Irish cream flavor! Even moreso than I thought they would, if I'm being honest.

Now, the original recipe called for a whole 1/2 cup more sugar, but I thought that would be way too sweet, so I reduced that a bit, and these are still sweet, but not overly so. I also suggest you use a square pan and reduce the baking time as well. Mine came out a little more cake-like than I prefer, but I think reducing the time to what I've put below will help alleviate that a bit. The ones in the pictures baked for 35 minutes, if you like that consistency.

Finally, I must apologize for the slightly blurry nature of some of these photos! I could not get my hands to stay still for the up close shots. Sigh.

Bailey’s Brownies
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Servings: 9 Brownies
Prep time: 00:15

Cook time: 00:35

Total time: 00:50

Homemade brownies spiced up with some Bailey’s Irish Cream – chocolate and Bailey’s can never go wrong!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 2-3 squares baking chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt the butter and the chocolate together in a microwave safe bowl, or in a small pan on the stove. If using the microwave, start with 30 seconds, mix, then 30 seconds, then mix, then in increments of 10 seconds until the chocolate is melted through.

3. In a mixing bowl, cream the melted chocolate mixture with the sugar for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Add in the eggs, beating one at a time. Add in the flour and stir until just combined. Finally, stir in the Bailey's.
4. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking pan, and bake for 30-35 minutes until just barely done.

Adapted from How Sweet It Is

Classic Light and Fluffy Waffles

Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? I know! But here's what happened - I moved into a new apartment a few months ago. One that magically has a dishwasher. Having not had a dishwasher for many years, I thought everything should be given a go in it, to make sure they were actually clean. The mistake, however, was including the Kitchenaid mixer metal attachments. Note to everyone: DO NOT put those in the dishwasher! They will come out with this strange silver film all over them. It's something about aluminum and blah blah. I just assumed they would be stainless steel. WRONG!

Anyway, so the story is this: these attachments have still not been replaced. So the baking being done has been rather limited since that happened a couple months ago. As you can see, this recipe isn't even one that requires baking!

Yes, today I am talking about waffles! I haven't made waffles in some time, mostly because these banana pancakes are super easy and have become something of a tradition on weekends. But this past weekend, I woke up thinking I wanted to do something different. I wanted to do... waffles! However, the waffles I've made in the past have not always lived up to the hype. I love waffles, but my homemade ones have been... well... meh.

I guess it's The Pioneer Woman to the rescue, because these waffles are in fact her recipe, and I can confirm that they are deliciously light and fluffy. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the separating of the eggs and getting some stiff egg white action going on. Also? I had to beat those things by hand. See above re: mixer issues. I would highly recommend using a mixer, my friends. Highly. My arm was not so happy about this whipping by hand situation.

But, yes! If you want a nice, light, fluffy, and sweet waffle recipe, give this a go! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Classic Light and Fluffy Waffles
Author: Jen @ Fresh From The…
Servings: 8 Waffles
Prep time: 00:10

Cook time: 00:10

Total time: 00:20

The traditional homemade waffle recipe you expect. Light and fluffy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 2 whole egg yolks
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
• 4 whole egg whites

Instructions:

1. Preheat your waffle iron at its regular setting (mine only has one setting!).
2. Sift together (or whisk, which is what I did) the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg yolks, and vanilla. Gently stir that into your dry ingredients about halfway, then add in your melted butter. Continue mixing gently until combined.
4. In another bowl (or use a mixer, which is easier), beat your egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Carefully fold those into your batter until they are just about all the way mixed in.
5. Scoop out your batter into your waffle iron per your individual waffle iron's instructions. Cook, eat, and enjoy! 

Recipe via The Pioneer Woman