Let's Learn About: Brownies

December 8th is National Brownie Day! December seems like quite the month for all you food lovers out there, and today is no different. Whose mouth doesn’t water at the thought of a warm, gooey, and chocolaty brownie overload? Whether you’re a fan of the classic chocolate brownie, or have a sweet tooth for a good ol’ blondie, today is your day to indulge and celebrate!

Some of the first brownies ever made, like other culinary mishaps (the sandwich, pizza, potato chip) were actually mistakes. The baker didn’t have baking powder and ended up with an unleavened fudgy treat.

  • The first brownie recipe was found in a Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue in the 1800’s.
  • The name “brownie” first appeared in the 1896 version of “The Boston Cooking School Cook Book,” but this was in reference to molasses cakes baked individually in tin molds.
  • The world’s largest brownie was made in 2011 in New York. Chefs created a 3,000-pound brownie made from 750-pounds of chocolate chips, 500-pounds of butter, and 500-pounds of flour. Proceeds from the brownie-tasting event totaled $7,500 and went to the families of the victims of the September 2001 World Trade Center attacks.
  • The first brownie made was not actually a brownie at all. It was a tasty treat sweetened with molasses that we now know as a blondie.
  • The brownie has its roots in America. However, similar bar cookies and squares can be found internationally, including baklava in the Middle East, nanaimo bars from Canada and tray bakes from the UK.
  • There are two types of brownies: fudgy and cake-like. According to Greyston Bakery research, fudgy tops the preference list for most consumers.
  • Although its origin may be shrouded in mystery, its name is not, which is clearly derived from its brown color.
  • Brownie points in modern usage are a hypothetical social currency, which can be accrued by doing good deeds or earning favor in the eyes of another – often one's superior.
  • Although cannabis is the most controversial brownie mix-in, walnut remains the most popular (and legal) tweak.

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