If you are in need of a little chocolate heaven, make these decadent Skillet Brownies. They are super easy and very cute. Vanilla ice cream melting into the warm, rich, gooey, chocolate packed brownie gets you pretty close to dessert paradise.

Skillet Brownies

Ingredients:

1/4 pound (4 ounces) unsalted butter
4 ounces plus ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1½ ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 extra-large eggs
2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Combine the butter, 4 ounces of the chocolate chips, and the unsweetened chocolate together in a medium saucepan. Heat over low heat just until the chocolate melts. (You can also do this in the microwave). Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

3. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together the eggs, coffee powder, vanilla, and sugar. Add the egg mixture to the chocolate mixture then set aside to cool to room temperature.

4. In a medium bowl, mix together ¼ cup of the flour, the baking powder, and salt then stir it into the chocolate mixture.

5. Toss the remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips and one tablespoon of flour together in a medium bowl then stir them into the chocolate mixture.

6. Spoon the mixture into 4 lightly greased individual cast-iron skillets, ramekins or baking dishes (about 5 x 3-inches in dimension) and place them on a sheet pan.

7. Bake for 22 minutes exactly. Do not overbake. A tester inserted in the center will not come out clean. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.

Serves 4 very generously

Recipe from Ina Garten

Yesterday, my cousin sent me this song since she sensed I was feeling a bit blue.

“Come Along” by Cosmo Sheldrake was exactly what I needed. Whimsy, optimism, haunting undertones and an epic, theatrical intro combine for a four minute trip that calms the mind. It certainly made me smile.

“Don’t let moments pass along
and waste before your eyes,
March with me and the borogoves,
Come with me and the slithy toves,
And never ask us why.”

Check out Cosmo Sheldrake on Bandcamp where you can buy his music.

Cheers!