Family Baking Activity

Baking For Others

People love receiving home made gifts! Whether it's
for a holiday, or special visit, there's nothing like food from the heart to make it a special time.

Suggestions: An elderly grandparent or people in nursing homes would be delighted to receive presents. A visit alone would be a treat, but to be given a home made gift is something they will treasure. You should check on any special dietary requirements before you start to bake. As with people in the nursing home, contact the administrator first, to see about any special dietary requirements. Some people are on a low salt diet, for example - you can eliminate the salt in this recipe without affecting the end result. Salt is used as a flavor enhancer here. You can also substitute unsalted butter for the margarine, or use 1/2 cup oil instead of the solid fat.

One reason for customizing a recipe: Brownies and chocolate chips are great for people who adore chocolate, however there are people who either don't like or cannot have chocolate. In this recipe you can substitute carob chips, dried cherries, cranberries, or coconut for the chocolate chips. Use your imagination and find the right ingredient to add.

You must remember that you can't substitute the dry chocolate chips for a wet ingredient like canned or fresh chopped fruits - peaches, pineapple, etc. - it must be another dry ingredient, as dried fruits.

You can also eliminate the walnuts or substitute another type of nut for the walnuts.

How special will it be when the recipient of this gift finds out that this recipe was custom made by you for them?

Blond Brownies

Ingredients
1 cup margarine
2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
2 1/2 teaspoons Clabber Girl Baking Powder
1 teaspoon salt (can be safely eliminated from recipe)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Customize:
1 (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips or carob chips or coconut
(optional)1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions
Melt margarine in saucepan. Add brown sugar and blend well. Remove from heat and cool. Add eggs and dry ingredients. Add vanilla, chocolate chips and walnuts. Stir until combined.

Spread in greased 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Makes approximately 50.

Look in our Family Fun archives for some more fun and easy recipes to try!

Visit the Home Baking Association for some winning recipe ideas for the whole family.

http://www.homebaking.org