I got a blast from the past this morning when I opened my email.  I was surprised to see a note from a mom in my daughter’s playgroup 9 years ago!  She was writing to ask me about a holiday gift that I had given her way back then…a layered brownie mix I made for friends that year.

With the economy in the tank, I am guessing that more and more people will lure their families into the kitchen to make their own gifts this year.  Why not give this one a try.  After all, it must have been memorable, even 9 years later!

Sand Art Brownies

Directions:

1. Layer the following dry ingredients in a wide-mouth quart canning jar.
2. Tamp down between layers.

2/3 t. salt (scant 3/4t.)
1/2 C. plus 2 T. flour
1/3 C. cocoa
1/2 C. flour
2/3 C. brown sugar
2/3 C. granulated sugar
1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. vanilla flavored baking chips
chopped walnuts or pecans to fill (approx. ½ C.)

Attach the following directions to each jar:

1. Combine contents of jar with 1 t. vanilla, 2/3 C. vegetable oil & 3 eggs.
2. Pour into greased pan and bake at 350 degrees
   7 x 11 pan — 32 to 37 minutes
   9 x 9 pan — 27 to 32 minutes

Just an FYI – this is a great recipe to do in bulk.  Bring your brood into the kitchen, and make these assembly-line style.  You can give a Sand Art Brownie jar to each of your children’s teachers, along with your neighbors or people who have you over for dinner.

To fill one dozen jars you will need approximately:
12 oz. Cocoa
42 oz. Each chocolate & vanilla chips
32 oz. Nuts
50 oz. Brown sugar
5 lbs. Flour
5 lbs. Granulated sugar