'Crack' Brownies

Hey guys! I hope ya'll have been doing well. Sorry I haven't posted in such a long time, but I've been so busy with school and work! Here is my take on brownies. I call them 'Crack' brownies because I add coffee and Godiva chocolate... sounds pretty addicting right?

Note: These brownies are actually vegan except for the addition of Godiva chocolate. If you have a favorite vegan chocolate please let me know!

Hope you enjoy!


Crack Brownies

• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 Cups Raw Sugar (Note: White granulated sugar is not vegan because animal bone char is used in the bleaching process)
• 3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 Packet Instant Coffee (I used Nestle, but I'm sure it would be amazing with Starbucks)
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1 Cup Canola Oil (You can also use vegetable oil, but I use canola since it's healthier. If anybody makes these with coconut oil I would love to hear how they turn out!)
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract 
• 1.5 Oz Dark Chocolate (I used 72% Dark Godiva with Almonds... yum!)- chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, stir together all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa, coffee, baking powder, salt). Add wet ingredients(oil, water, vanilla) and mix together. Toss in chocolate and stir by hand. 

Pour mixture into a pan greased with extra canola oil. 

Bake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Let rest at 10 minutes before serving.

Hamburgers

The key to making anything is to use the most quality, fresh ingredients. When making burgers don't just pick up whatever meat you find in the grocery store. If it's within your budget, try to find organic and grass-fed beef. Also remember while making burgers not to overwork the meat. Overworked burgers tend to be more tough and less yielding in juicy flavor. Here's my take on burgers:

Happy Burgers
Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients:

• 2 Lbs organic grass-fed ground beef (85% lean, 15% fat)
• 3 Egg yolks
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard (preferably Grey Poupon- it really makes a difference)
• 2 Tbsp Dale's Steak Seasoning
• 1 Tsp Fresh ground salt
• 1 Tsp Fresh ground pepper
• 6 Onion sandwich buns

In a large bowl mash all ingredients together with a fork. Do not overwork the meat. Scoop a small handful of meat out- approximately 1/3 pound. Form it into a ball and on a cutting board mash it down with your hand. Sprinkle each side of the burgers with additional fresh ground salt and pepper.

Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the burgers about 3-5 minutes on each side. When the burgers are done, cover with tinfoil and let rest at least five minutes before serving. Toast the sandwich buns face down in the skillet you cooked the burgers in.

Serve with mayonnaise, dijon mustard, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, bacon, and Vermont cheddar cheese.

Bon app!