Two bakes in a row: Best Brownies and Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was delegated for a bake sale as my school's Leo Club monthly project. Wasn't really confident, but I decided to take up this challenge. After all, I haven't done much for my club. So, I went to the web and search for some ideas. Allrecipes is always the first site which I will visit! The recipe on Best Brownie and Best Chocolate Chip with the good comments and high ratings caught my attention! These recipes are praiseworthy.

Fudgy and slightly chewy Best Brownie

Best Brownie (reference: Allrecipes)
(I made half of the recipe and it yields 10 thin slices)

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar (I will advise to cup down the sugar to 3/4 cup because 1 cup is way too sweet)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

 

This looks slghtly different from the picture above as I used flash in my camera.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies  (reference: Allrecipes)

( yields two dozen for me as I dropped a spoon of the batter)

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar  (use lesser sugar if you prefer)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I used less)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (I omitted this)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
3. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.