Bacon and Cake as Fast as You Can!

My four year old niece, Emily, has said some of the most fantastic things.

Last week she asked me to make her some breakfast.

"What would you like me to make you, my dear?" I asked.

Without hesitation she exclaimed, "your special eggs with butter and love!"

I melted, quicker than butter in a hot skillet. Then I opened the fridge and pulled out the eggs.

Emily is also the one who came up with my favorite version of pat-a-cake.

Pat-a-cake! Pat-a-cake! Bacon man!
Bacon and cake as fast as you can!

Emergency Brownies, for when Mercury Retrogrades

Yesterday was an odd day.

It took me three hours to upload some photos from my digital camera (which usually takes about three minutes). I burned the bacon.l My friend Erin's power went out. My brother-in-law took the waffle maker out of the cabinet and it promptly fell apart right in his hands.

And then I heard someone say, "Mercury is headed to retrograde."

I'm not saying I believe that's why it was such an odd day, but I am saying that the world as we know it stretches far beyond my kitchen, and many, many things are beyond my control.

But some things are not beyond my control.

Like making brownies.

And in case of emergencies such as the occasional everything-seems-to-be-going-wrong day, it is nice to have an ace in the hole.

My ace in the hole...these chocolate brownies.

This recipe uses ingredients that are most likely in your kitchen right now. They are easy, delicious, and practically foolproof.

Even when Mercury is retrograde.

Emergency Chocolate Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut up one stick (1/2 cup) butter and melt it in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat before butter starts to foam. Off heat, add 1-1/4 cups sugar and mix well with a spatula or wooden spoon. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 cup all purpose flour, and 1/8 tsp baking powder. Fold gently until combined.

Pour batter into a lightly greased 8"x8" square pan. Place pan into preheated oven, then reduce heat to 330 degrees F. Bake 30-35 minutes (do not overbake!). Remove from oven and cover loosely with aluminum foil and allow to cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.