(PEPPERMINT) BROWNIES from Boyajian

These come from Boyajian. I left the peppermint flavoring out of them. I was intrigued by this recipe because it uses both melted milk chocolate chips and unsweetened cocoa powder. I used Dutch process cocoa. They're very moist but unfortunately they don't taste good at all, they taste just like you melted butter, cocoa and sugar together. I added vanilla extract. I used an 8" square pan, not 9", and they baked in 18 minutes, well below the minimum time stated. The top is very firm, which I don't like.

I give these two stars and I don't recommend them.

GREEK YOGURT MUFFINS from The Diary of a Real Housewife

These come from The Diary of a Real Housewife and they aren't good! They're dry and a bit tough. I weighed the flour, didn't overmix or overbake the and they're dry in 18 minutes. I made jumbo muffins and got six. I added ground toasted almonds and dried sweetened tart cherries. The author didn't say why the recipe calls for one tablespoon of lemon juice but I assume it's to help tenderize. I used white vinegar instead but it didn't help.

I give these 1 star.