Brownies with a Twist (actually more like a sharp turn)

Good morning!! I owe you a huge thank you if you’re still with me! I’m not doing my part here at ALL! Hard to fathom it’s been almost a month since I’ve posted anything. The last three to four weeks has been filled to capacity with one thing after another. After our trip to Shipshewana, we all proceeded to enjoy a viral infection that ran it’s course through all four of us and has really taken it’s time leaving. The better half and I still have some congestion, but thankfully the girls are all clear. We do believe our cat has it currently, as she’s sneezing and her eyes are squinty and watering. We took her to the vet on Tuesday and they gave her an antibiotic injection.

My mother flew in from Georgia the week before Thanksgiving. She has come for the holidays as per tradition, but this time she will be gracing us with her presence for a bit longer than usual. She has an AAA, an abdominal aortic aneurism that will need to be fixed via “open” surgery. We have been running to and from doctor’s offices during the past couple weeks to make sure all is well. She’s already met with the surgeon and recently took a stress test, which we are now awaiting the results. I believe then the surgery can be scheduled. Once the three hour surgery is complete, she will spend a week in the hospital and another 6-8 weeks recuperating. It’s going to be a very long, long three months for me.

This Christmas the girls will head to their dad’s. We will delay our Christmas with them until the end of the month. It’s not the worst thing in the world, it gives me a little more time to shop for last minute gifts but I sure don’t like them not being home – no matter what time of year it is. All a bit stressful, but so far manageable with wine. But despite all that – the REAL news here is – I baked something AMAZING yesterday! This is the first thing I’ve baked this holiday season (other than a poundcake that turned out to be pretty gross).

Let me introduce to you…Godiva Liqueur Brownies! Holy Smokes, these little beauties are to DIE for!! Godiva became my favorite chocolate a few years ago during my stressful, five year divorce I was going through. We really bonded during one New Year’s Eve, when I broke down and spent $350 on a box of handmade Godiva chocolates and spent that night in bed watching the ball drop and all whilst marveling over every bite. Yep – it’s a tight bond. I’ve never forgotten her getting me through that New Year’s. She will always hold a special place in my heart.

I don’t drink alcohol any more only wine, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like liquor, I just don’t drink it – but I will eat it on occasion! Like when I saw this recipe and immediately said to myself, “yep, that’s gonna be in the Christmas Lineup!” So without further ado – here’s the recipe, found in the December 2016 Taste of Home 12 Days of Christmas Cookies by Terry Rasey, Cadillac, MI.

Godiva Liqueur Brownies

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 c. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
2 T. chocolate vodka (I used 360 Double Chocolate)
2 T. creme de cacao (I used dark)
1 1/3 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. baking cocoa (I used Hershey’s Special Dark)
1 t. baking powder
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used mini semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Glaze: (although I turned mine into icing by tripling the recipe)

1 c. confectioners’ sugar
4 t. butter, melted
2 T. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
1 T. chocolate vodka
1 T. creme de cacao

Preheat oven to 350*. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the liqueur, vodka and creme de cacao. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking cocoa and baking powder until well mixed. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture just until combined. Transfer to a 13×9″ baking dish coated with cooking spray, bake just until center is set, 24-28 minutes (do not overtake). Cool brownies completely in the pan on a wire rack.

For the glaze, mix all ingredients until smooth, spread over brownies. Cut into 24 bars and store in an airtight container.

Really, these are super delicious! If you’re baking for adults (my kids tried them but weren’t big fans of the icing) that enjoy a little nip with their holidays, give these a try! Have a wonderful day and I swear, I’ll post more than this one post this month!!