Every year around this time, I dig through my small, but cherished collection of CD’s and pull out one that makes me happy just looking at it.
For those of you unfamiliar with this cartoon character, he's the one on the left.
Sometimes I even do the happy dance. :)
Charlie Brown is a man after my own heart — optimistic in spite of the odds, always hoping for the best. Even when the needles fall off his spindly Christmas tree year after year (via the wonder of re-runs), his spirit remains undaunted. I like that.
I also like brownies.
Yup, that would be me in the all-seeing silver bulb...
These brownies make me happy looking at them, too. Better yet, eating them. I’ve made them year after year (over 30 years’ worth of re-runs) and, just like Charlie Brown, they’ve withstood the test of time.
Unlike my “tree”…
The tree AND brownies eventually took a tumble.
But… my spirit remained undaunted.
Charlie Brown(ies)
1 stick of butter (plus a little extra, to butter the baking pan)
2 squares (2 oz. total) unsweetened chocolate
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 325° F. Butter a 9″ x 9″ glass baking pan; set aside.
Get out a heavy saucepan, a wooden spoon, and a spatula. (These are the only utensils you’ll need; consider it an early gift.) :)
Melt butter over low heat in the saucepan. When butter is almost melted, add the chocolate. Stir with a wooden spoon until chocolate is melted; remove from heat.
Add sugar; mix well. Cool mixture for several minutes. (You don’t want your eggs to cook when you add them.) Add vanilla and eggs; mix vigorously until combined.
Add flour and salt; mix until flour is incorporated. Using a spatula, scrape the batter into the buttered baking pan.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. They’ll look fairly “wet” but please do not overbake — they’ll settle down if you will.
Cool on a wire rack until you can no longer resist eating them.
Do the happy dance!
Enjoying the simple joys of the season,
~ Kim
Kimby, I’m a huge fan of cartoons & I used to watch Charlie Brown when I was a kid. Used to frequent Mc Donalds just to collect the toys. Hahaha!
Great dessert for X’mas! I’m sure Charlie would’ve gobbled up all the brownies! Hahaha! Hey Kim, would love to have you join me @ Promote Your Blog Here! DIY This X’mas With 12 Lovely Recipes!
Shirley, you’re still a kid! :) Thanks for your comment — will check out your DIY goodies!
~ Kim
I love this post because it reminds me of when my boys watch this on TV they try to dance like Snoopy!
I love a good brownie and this certainly looks good to me!
Heather, isn’t it fun to watch your boys enjoying JOY? I used to play the “Linus & Lucy” song on the piano for my kids and they still remember that. Happy memories!
I absolutely LOVE your little tree! I always think of Charlie Brown’s tree whenever I am picking out my tree for the year – although I have never had one as authentic as the one in your picture. :-D
Smiling about that because all I did was walk out the back door and grab the first one that looked spindly! :) Sounds like you have a beautiful evergreen outside your house for that “fresh pine” scent — something mine is definitely lacking, lol! Thanks for coming to visit.
~ Kim
Yum! I am always on the look out for a good brownie recipe.
And Charlie Brown is my favorite! I watch the Christmas one many times each year. (yes…even when it is not Christmas time!)
Christy, I was thinking the peanut butter balls you made would be good with these brownies… :) LOVE that you watch Charlie Brown year round!
Okay, it’s official! You are the coolest person I know! What a GREAT post and pictures! Brownies and Charlie Brown are classics!
SO creative!
Ann, woohoo, you’re back! Thanks for making time to comment — you must be swamped, catching up after your trip. So THANK YOU!
I love the tree, the ornament (with you in it obviously!), the brownies and best of all I love Charlie Brown :)
Thanks, Isabelle! Glad to bring you a little Christmas cheer via some Christmas classics. Me included… :)
Charlie Brown is something I will be watching no matter what my age. Cool that you have tied the cartoon into the recipe for these delicious brownies. Love the pics!
Tina, there’s something about those cartoons that bring out the kid in all of us! Thanks for coming by to visit. :)
I think I would like Charlie Brownies too! {I’m listening to Greensleeves from A Charlie Brown Christmas right now. And I could go for one of your brownies and another cuppa coffee…}
Have you guys gotten any snow yet? Stay warm!
Nolita, we had snow this morning for about an hour — it was so pretty! (I like Oklahoma snow — it doesn’t last long.) You must have been reading my mind — breakfast this morning was a brownie and a cuppa! :)
I JUST posted A Charlie Brown Christmas on my MEW for next week, Kimby! What are the odds?
And your brownies look just like my mother’s: home.
Sid, that’s just plain cool! Thanks for sharing the link — just got done watching it. Ahhhh… nice to see a “visual” and hear the diaglogue in that scene. :) Technology is amazing, but you’re right — a little homemade goodness brings back the most memories.
Those look so good! Thank you for sharing the recipe. My kids will love these while watching the movie.
blessings,
Amy
Movie treats — especially Christmas movie treats — will be something they’ll always remember! Thanks, Amy. :)
I love the Charlie Brown Christmas CD–it’s one of my all time favorites. If I could eat brownies while listening to it, well, that might just be TOO much fun!
Jenna, I’ve tried it several times now and it was just the right amount of fun each time. All in the name of research, of course. :)
Kimby, you are so precious!!! I would love one of your Charlie Brownies :) He’s one of my favorites, too!
Gotta love the little guy. :) Thanks, Amee!
The Charlie brownies are tempting me to try these at home. I loved the way you made them. Bookmarked!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
Purabi, it was a treat reading that, thank you!
Those brownies are perfect: rich, dense and delicious.
Betcha can’t eat just one… :) Thanks for your comment, Kristen!
We are getting ready to watch Charlie Brown tonight with my son! Wish I had made these brownies to go with it!
Erin, I’m listening to the soundtrack right now. I’ll be thinking of you and your family and smiling. :) Have fun!
That sure looks good. i love brownies, especially with icecream. i like the way you captured it. awesome!
Oooh, I didn’t think of ice cream… thanks for the suggestion! And for your nice comment! :)