Honey Brownies

Summer makes me think of bees and bees make me think of honey!!!!! Sounds a little like something Winnie the Pooh would say doesn't it?

Just thinking about all that goes into the creation of honey is enough to make the head spin. We love honey, especially honey that is harvested right off the land that I grew up on. Though I have not added bee keeping to my list, I am blessed with a brother who does. I don't know if Carl thinks of himself as a bee keeper, but he and his friend, Paul, fit the description of "hive jocks"! Honey is a whole food and one of the most healthy delicious treats (and ingredient) to have on hand. Since Carl keeps us in supply of tasty Nebraska honey, we eat it on or in just about everything.

Tonight we celebrated house cleaning and lawn mowing with an evening snack. My children LOVE sweets and brownies are among their favorites. I am amazed this summer at how fast they seem to go through food. At times there isn't much to choose from in the cupboard, especially if we've been traveling about.

One of my goals for the summer was for my children to cook and create in the kitchen with me. Pryce, our 4 year old daughter is already a big fan. Sometimes we get a bit too much sugar and an occasional egg shell but she's finding her way around the mixer and measuring spoons quite well. Another goal was to purchase and eat less processed foods. Though pre-packaged foods have their place in a busy household, they are expensive and of coarse not as healthy. It does take a bit more organization on my part, but I am seeing that creating a dish, even as simple as brownies, brings through anticipation and an excitement that opening a wrapper and chowing down food doesn't offer. Instant gratification is outweighed by the sweet voices in the other room asking, "Mom are the brownies done yet?" Waiting for something, even brownies to be finished is good for the soul, especially in this day of instant messaging, lightening fast technology and swiping of cards!

Here's an invitation to slow down, relax and create~this recipe comes from Country Wisdom & Know-How. It’s been given a 5 star rating by the Johnston Kids and their Mama (it’s easy too!) Enjoy it with an ice cold glass of green tea!

Honey Chocolate Brownies
1 cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups honey
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. salt
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 cup unbleached white flour
1 cup chopped walnut

Beat the butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Slowly add the honey in a steady stream, mixing constantly. Add the eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add the melted chocolate alternating with the flour. Stir in the nuts, if using. Turn into a well-greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 f0r 20-25 minutes. Watch for burning. Turn down the oven if it browns too quickly.

Pake’s Version: just plain, nothing fancy but if you have ice cream……….that would be great!

Parker’s Version: with the white stuff (powdered sugar). It just isn’t a brownie the white stuff!

Pryce’s Version: drizzled with caramel topping……..the sweeter the better!