Brownies are probably the most popular baked goods on Earth and for good reason – they’re easy to make and pretty much everyone loves them.
As we prepare to celebrate National Brownie Day on Friday, December 8, here are five fun facts about these decadent delights and five places for a brownie fix:
•The first brownies were made by Chefs at Chicago’s Palmer Hotel in 1893 who were asked to create something small that could be eaten without a fork to be served in boxed lunches sold at the World Columbian Exposition. They had walnuts inside and an apricot glaze on top.
•The first brownies weren’t called that – the name originated shortly after obviously because of their colour; adding ‘ie’ to a word was popular to refer to a small, cut version of that word.
•The classic brownie recipe has only five ingredients – butter, sugar, chocolate, eggs and flour.
•The largest brownie weighed more than 1360 kg and was made to raise funds for families of victims of the World Trade Centre attacks.
•In Scottish folklore, a brownie is a good-natured type of hobgoblin that comes out at night while everyone is asleep to perform chores and farming tasks like milking the cows and churning butter.
Find delicious gluten and wheat-free vegan bread, along with brownies, cakes and cookies at Strange Grains Gluten Free Bakery on Onslow Road in Shenton Park. This Perth artisan bakery is the brainchild of gluten-intolerant anthropologist Jenny Holten, who takes a completely different approach to a baker when producing traditional old-world-style bread from exotic New World grains.
All baked in a dedicated gluten-free environment, drop in on Friday and pair your brew of choice with decadent chocolate brownies, or white chocolate and cranberry blondie; don’t forget to grab a loaf of sourdough to take home for lunch sandwiches, or a carrot cake for your next celebration.
From farm gate to back paddock, Wild Food Farm and Café on Rhyll-Newhaven Road in Rhyll showcases the potential of Australia’s amazing variety of native herbs, spices, fruits and berries. Visit the family-friendly homestead café, rainforest atrium events space, picnic parklands and native food trail; before heading to the gift and produce store, packed with treats inspired by a unique range of flavours and fragrances.
The chocolate and wattleseed brownie served with cream is such a crowd favourite it won’t be taken off the menu; enjoy yours after a serving of barramundi in lemon myrtle tempura batter, with finger lime tartar, crispy chips and salad.
Discover an ideal spot for coffee, fare with flair and sweet treats at Asian-style restaurant, Sopa Café on Whitehorse Road in Balwyn. On warm days the alfresco area beckons to enjoy a brew and bite to eat, or head indoors where a stylish vibe of polished timber, tiles, geometric pendent lights and potted greenery sets the scene for lingering over all-day brunch dishes or evening dining.
Sweet tooths won’t go past a signature cheesecake brownie to finish after an all-day breaky of a croissant filled with scrambled egg, blue swimmer crab meat, truffle oil, Parmesan and flying fish roe.
Eat, drink and be merry at Cindy’s Café and Bar on Main Road in Moonah. This Hobart dining destination epitomises the Apple Isle with a rustic vibe of recycled timber, copper pendents and an open kitchen giving glimpses of hard-working Chefs in action, as you relax with a glass of Tasmanian wine in hand to peruse a concise and delicious menu.
There is no other way to start the day than pork belly Benny with sriracha Hollandaise, poached eggs, pickled daikon and smoked paprika on sourdough, or chilli scrambled eggs with prawns; then give into temptation and devour a fudgy chocolate brownie to finish your meal.
Allegra’s Artisan Cakes on Cambridge Street in Coorparoo creates sweet and savoury baked goods which are carefully crafted with a strong focus on taste and aesthetics. Using high-quality ingredients and keeping it simple, emphasising the owner’s German heritage, expect to find a variety of traditional, vegan and gluten-free options so everyone can enjoy deliciousness in every bite.
All the baked goods are made from scratch to guarantee the freshest and most authentic products, from celebration cakes to pretzels and cupcakes; perhaps grab a gift box of walnut and chocolate brownies to treat that special someone in your life.
