Aunt Sylvias Brownies Recipes

AUNT SYLVIA'S NOODLE PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix together the corn flakes, 1/4 cup of the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt, and boil the noodles according to package instructions. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl, and toss with the 1/3 cup butter.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine the cream cheese and remaining 1/2 cup sugar and mix, using a hand held mixer, until light and airy. Add the eggs, milk, and nectar and continue mixing until fully incorporated. Stir the cheese mixture evenly into the noodles. Transfer the noodle mixture into a buttered 9- x 13- x 2-inch baking dish. (Scrap the bowl with a rubber spatula to get all the custard.) Scatter the top of the pudding with the corn flake mixture. Bake until set and golden brown, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool slightly before serving.

SYLVIA'S COLLARD GREENS WITH SMOKED TURKEY

Steps:

• In a 4-quart saucepan, bring the water and smoked turkey to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
• While the turkey is cooking, wipe the collards with a damp towel, then wash 2 or 3 times or until all the dirt and grit has been removed. Chop the greens into 1/4-inch pieces; you will have 10 cups of chopped greens.
• Add the collards, oil, salt, black pepper, sugar and red pepper flakes to the saucepan. Return to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes longer. Discard the turkey before serving, or chop the turkey meat and add it to the collards.

SYLVIA'S FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Grease the bottom and sides of an eight-cup souffle dish or a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan. Line with brown paper; grease the paper.
• Combine the walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, dates, apricots, prunes, candied fruits, raisins and cherries in a large bowl. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt over the nuts and fruits. Toss lightly until well coated.
• Beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla in a medium-size bowl with an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy and light. Pour over the nut mixture. Stir gently to combine.
• Fill the prepared dish or pan, pressing the cake mixture firmly. Bake at 275 degrees for about two hours. (If the top is browning too quickly, cover with buttered foil.)
• Remove the cake to a wire rack. Spoon one-quarter cup of brandy over the cake. Let stand one hour. Invert the cake and peel off the paper. Turn it right side up and let it stand on the wire rack until it is completely cooled. Place the wire rack in a shallow pan and spoon the remaining one-half cup of brandy over the cake.
• To store, wrap the cake in cheesecloth that has been soaked in brandy. Wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil or store in tightly covered container.

AUNT GLENNIS'S BLONDE BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat eggs and butter together; add sugar. Gradually add flour; mix well. Stir in vanilla. Fold in nuts, coconut, and chocolate chips. Bake in greased and floured 13 × 9-inch sheet pan for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

SYLVIA'S PERFECT PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, with a pastry cutter, gradually work the Crisco into the flour for about 3 or 4 minutes until it resembles a coarse meal. In a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of cold water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir together gently until all of the ingredients are incorporated.
• Separate the dough into thirds. ***Note: Separating it into thirds will result in three thin crusts. If you prefer a more substantial crust, separate it in half.*** Form 3 evenly sized balls of dough and place each dough into a large Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each ball of dough (about ½ inch thick) to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. (If you will be using it immediately it's still a good idea to put in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to chill.).
• When you are ready to use the dough to make a crust, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes. On a floured surface roll the dough, starting at the center and working your way out. (Sprinkle some flour over top of the dough if it's a bit too moist.) If the dough is sticking to the countertop use a metal spatula and carefully scrape it up and flip it over and continue rolling until it's about ½ inch larger in diameter than your pie pan.
• With a spatula, lift the dough carefully from the surface of the counter into the pie pan. Gently press the dough against the corner of the pan. Go around the pie pan pinching and tucking the dough to make a clean edge.

AUNT ESSIE'S APPLE BROWNIES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a 9" X 13" baking dish (I now use non-stick cooking spray.)
• 2. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and eggs. Stir in apples and nuts.
• 3. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, and fold into apple mixture.
• 4. Pour batter into prepared baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes.
• 5. Cool, in baking dish on wire rack. Cut into squares and serve with a dollop of whipped topping or a scoop of ice cream, if you like.

SYLVIA'S RIBS

Steps:

• Place the ribs in a large stock pot with enough water to cover. Bring the water to a boil and cook over medium-high heat for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In medium saucepan, combine ketchup, barbeque sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, steak sauce and garlic; blend well. Cook the sauce over medium heat for approximately 20 minutes. (Please note that the above ingredients are all to taste. Use more or less of anything you like. I never make the ribs the same way twice!)
• Cut the ribs between the bones and place in a baking pan. Pour sauce over ribs, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.

AUNT SYLVIA'S FRUIT KUGEL

Steps:

• 1. Mix all ingredients, except 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon, together and pour into a greased 11 X 14 inch pan.
• 2. Top with cinnamon and sugar (which have been mixed together) and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

AUNT SYLVIA'S BROWNIES

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Pour into a 9 x 13 pan.
• Bake at 325 F until edges begin to pull away from the pan and toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean (about 25-30 min).
• Cool completely. Ice with frosting, if desired. Cut into squares.