Rich Dessert Treat and a Mystery Bird
5October 13, 2010 by type1vegan
I haven’t baked anything since that baklava. I know, crazy, right? Time to get back into the swing of things. Luckily, I saw something on this here interweb that got me eager to bake.
On Post Punk Kitchen’s facebook page, Isa Chandra Moscowitz posted a (beautiful) picture of some Chocolate Peppermint Creme Bars. Turns out, it wasn’t her recipe, but The Vegan Cookie Connoisseur’s recipe, found here. They just looked so pretty and sounded so tasty, I couldn’t wait to try them. So I printed out the recipe and got to work.
Truth be told, I didn’t really understand what kind of treat I was making until after I made it. The bottom layer is sort-of like a brownie, and sort of like fudge. It’s really dense and rich, with the consistency of fudge, but it contains flour, so it’s not really fudge. It was really difficult to mix the flour into it, too. I actually ended up adding extra non-dairy milk because it was pretty dry. Maybe it was dry because my chocolate chips are mini, so there are more chips in 1 1/4 cup than rightfully ought to be in the recipe. The middle layer is mint icing, not really “creme.” And the top is just chocolate and some shortening melted together, put overtop, and hardened in the ‘fridge.
Overall, it’s really tasty and really rich. Maybe too rich for my blood. Also, it uses a heck of a lot of margarine, which is expensive and also, I think, hard to work with. I guess I just prefer oil-based recipes. But I really can’t say anything bad about this dish. It’s very good, and it would be terrific for a special occasion when it seems acceptable to have something super-decadent. Here’s another photo:
In other news, I redesigned the blog a bit, adding a picture at the top that I took of the bird that, for some reason, takes up fall/winter residence in the dam off the Low Bridge. You may remember Phoenixville’s Low Bridge from this post. So here is my question for you guys: what kind of bird is that? Does anyone know anything about birds? Do they not move south for the winter? Do they live alone? If anyone can give me any significant information about this bird, please post! I’ll make it worth your while — whoever gives me good information on this bird will get a care package from me containing baked goods of some sort. We’ll discuss it and I’ll send you something you’ll like! And I’ll blog about it! Yay!!
Type 1 Vegan 
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Blue heron! (I'm sort of a birding dork- no shame!) Those bars look mighty tasty too- and very very rich!
Agggh~! Allyson beat me to your mystery bird identification! It is a blue heron and I've seen them along the Schuylkill River, the canal, and the Pickering Creek. A rather magnificent bird!I've been visiting (read lurking on) your website for quite some time and the tempting offer of baked goodies drew me out which now gives me the opportunity to let you know I find your posts interesting and entertaining. Good job and keep looking for more blue heron. They are out there!
Wow, awesome, I had secret readers! Karen, I've actually noticed you on facebook because we have some friends in common and I used to know a gal with your last name from Phoenixville, but I don't think you're related because you're not friends with her on fb. Isn't modern life weird? But since you're local, I'd still like to give you some cookies some time.Meanwhile, Allyson, I see you have your own vegan blog — with absolutely gorgeous pictures. OMG, pumpkin alfredo, that sounds soooo good. You probably don't really need me to send you baked goods since you invent such amazing recipes yourself, but I still want to do it! I see you're a no gluten person. My fav gluten-free recipe is this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganfoodpics/4427775622/ . What do you think?
I think…those look amazing! You're so sweet with your generosity… in both your giving of baked goods and such kind words!! And I second Karen on the bird- Blue Herons are magnificent— and they are beautiful in flight too. Keep an eye out!