Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Valentine Vegan Brownie S'mores

Comfort mmm
Love, flowers, chocolates, candy, hearts, and cards are just a few of the things that come to mind in February.  However, with all of the sweet treats that children
receive from their classmates or secret admirers it is easy to go candy crazy, so why not

make a delicious treat that wont have your children running up and down the halls and is something that you feel good about giving them too. As I was searching online I came across Chef Doran Petersan of Sticky Fingers Sweets and Eats. She is a vegan based baker out of Washington, D.C.  Her recipe for vegan brownie s’mores looked simply irresistible and would be a good opportunity for everyone to get together in the kitchen and start baking.  Listed below is the ingredients as well as how to make these delectable treats. Bon Apetit!!!


Vegan brownie smores


Ingredients:
-Brownie Assembly

 2/3 cup brewed coffee
 1  tablespoon non-hydrogenated vegan margarine (recommended: Earth Balance)
 2 ounces dark chocolate (58% or darker), finely chopped or pistoles
 2 3/4 cups plus 1  tablespoon sugar
 1  cup cocoa powder
 1  1/2 teaspoons salt
 2./3 cup vegetable or canola oil
 2/3 cup water
 1  tablespoon vanilla extract
 2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
 1  teaspoon baking powder
 3/4 cup chocolate chips
-Smore Assembly:

 1  3/4 cup chocolate chips
 4 cups mini vegan marshmallows (recommended: Dandies or Sweet & Sara)
 24 graham cracker squares


Preparation

For Brownies:


1        Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2       Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking pan.

3      Using a double boiler, heat the coffee, margarine, and dark chocolate, stirring, until the chocolate is melted and the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4      In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, cocoa powder and salt and mix together with the paddle attachment.
5       Add the oil, water, and vanilla and mix to combine. Add the coffee mixture and mix to combine.

6       In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Stir in the chocolate chips. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.
7       Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely, then cut into squares.



For s’more assembly:


1        Once brownies are cooled and cut, melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a microwave. Drizzle the melted chips over the brownies.
2       Pile the marshmallows onto the brownies, on top of the melted chips. Using a pastry torch, flame the marshmallows until you get some browning, being careful not to burn them. Sprinkle the remaining chips on top.
3      Break the graham cracker squares in half and press them into the marshmallows so that they stand upright. Or, simply crush them in a plastic bag and sprinkle them over the top.
Serving Size: Makes 12 large or 24 small brownies