Cocoa Brownies ~ a 300th post celebration

Yaaaayyyyy!!! *Happy feet* *Dancing feet*.
I did it, I am here writing my 300th post. Now donot give me bizarre looks. I know its nothing to some and I know that quizzical look that you are giving me /*300 posts in 2 years ~ thats nothing that you need to brag for...*/ Its everything to me. Its everything to a person who had nothing but a monotonous IT life prior blogging. Its everything to someone like me who never had the intention to continue one hobby.
I had umpteen hobbies, I sing, not classical but there were some who told that I had a beautiful voice and who suggested that I participate in all those reality singing competitions, I draw and paint, not only for school records but for drawing competitions too, I am a state level kho-kho and district level long jump player but never have taken it from there. Tell me to do anyone of the above said things now, I will be a total zero except in singing (I still sing but I keep them to lullaby-s for baby 'A'). I never keep a hobby for more than a year and now you can understand why it is a feat for me. So yayyy its happy dance and dancing fee(a)t for me.

So... I gave the blog a new look, a makeover, a simple polka dot backgroud and a giveaway is on the way.
So... I made these addictive cocoa brownies for celebration, as a virtual treat to your eyes, for thanking all your generosity.
So... I love you all... its bear hugs to all of you from me and 'A' and of-course baby 'A'.

On a different note, I am happy to tell you that I have started writing for Stylecraze on Health, wellness and fitness. You can see the link to the article on the right hand side gadget. Stylecraze is an online beauty community which focusses on articles related to beauty and health. Do check out the site to know more.

You see that hole in the brownie, it was created by the caramel in the bar bubbling up.

These brownies are simple to make but seriously addictive. They are fudgy but cake-y fudgy and they will truly rock your soul and its just in time for the V-day. Do try it out for your valentine and they will love you for it.

Adapted from Hershey's Makes 9 small pieces ~*What U Need*~ Flour - 1/4 cup Butter - 50 gm Sugar - 1/2 cup Vanilla - 1/2 tsp Egg - 1 Cocoa powder - 2 1/2 heaped tbsp Baking powder - 1/8 tsp Salt - a pinch Walnuts - 1/4 cup, chopped

How I Made it:
Cream butter, sugar and vanilla essence. Add egg and beat with a fork till fluffy. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt thrice.

Add this to the egg mixture and fold in gently. Fold the nuts and 5 star pieces. Spread in a greased pan and bake in a preheated oven @ 175C for 15-20 mins. Check after 15 mins.

Serve dusted with cocoa powder.

**My Notes:
**I used salted butter and hence skipped salt.
**I used heaped tbsps of cocoa powder and the brownie was perfectly chocolaty towards the bittersweet scale. Alter as per palatte preference.
** I halved the original recipe and got 9 pieces.
**I used half chopped walnuts and one 5 star bar cut into small pieces. Towards the end of baking the caramel in the 5 star pieces bubbled up and gave a burnt chewy texture to the brownie. This along with the melted chocolate and fudgy brownie was pure bliss.
**I baked it for 20 mins and the texture of the brownie became a bit cake-y. Check after 15 mins to get a brownie of desired texture.

So thats it Folks...
With Love,

Signs off!!!