Southern Holiday Life 2020 | Page 64

Reindeer Pecan Brownies

Nonstick cooking spray 1 stick ( 1 / 2 cup ) unsalted butter , melted 1 tablespoon pecan or canola oil 1 cup , plus 2 tablespoons , granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 / 2 cup all-purpose flour 1 / 2 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon espresso powder ( optional ) 1 / 4 teaspoon kosher salt 20 raw pecan halves , cut in half 40 candy eyeballs 20 red chocolate candies 1 / 4 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 F . Spray mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray .
In large bowl , whisk melted butter , oil and sugar until well combined . Add eggs and vanilla extract ; beat until mixture is thick and pale in color , about 1 minute .
Sift in flour and cocoa powder . Add espresso powder , if desired , and salt . Using rubber spatula , fold dry ingredients into butter mixture until just combined . Batter should be thick .
Using 1-tablespoon cookie scoop , transfer batter to prepared mini muffin tin . Bake 13-15 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean , with some lingering crumbs .
Add chocolate chips to heat-proof bowl ; microwave until smooth and melted . Pour melted chocolate into sandwich bag and cut off small portion of one corner to use as tip . Use melted chocolate to " glue " on pecan antlers , candy eyeballs and red candy noses to brownies .
Allow chocolate to set before transferring brownies to airtight container .
Note : Brownies will stay fresh for up to three days .

Gingerbread Pecans

1 large egg white , beaten 2 cups raw pecan halves 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 2teaspoons gingerbread spice blend 1pinch salt
Preheat oven to 300 F . Line baking sheet with parchment paper ; set aside .
In large bowl , use fork to whisk beaten egg until frothy . Add pecans and stir until coated . Sprinkle pecans with granulated sugar , brown sugar , gingerbread spice and salt . Stir to coat evenly . Spread pecans in even layer on prepared baking sheet .
Bake pecans 40 minutes , stirring halfway through . Allow pecans to cool completely .
Note : Pecans can be stored in airtight container for up to four days .
64 SOUTHERN HOLIDAY LIFE 2020