Christmas Wishes!

"I have received and read all the letters which you and your little sister have written by the hand of your mother and your nurses; I have also read those which you little people have written me with your own hands for although you did not use any characters that are in grown peoples' alphabet, you used the characters that all children in all lands on earth and in the twinkling stars use; and as all my subjects in the moon are children and use no character but that, you will easily understand that I can read your and your baby sister's jagged and fantastic marks without any trouble at all. But I had trouble with those letters which you dictated through your mother and the nurses, for I am a foreigner and cannot read English writing well. You will find that I made no mistakes about the things which you and the baby ordered in your own letters I went down your chimney at midnight when you were asleep and delivered them all myself and kissed both of you, too, because you are good children, well trained, nice mannered, and about the most obedient little people I ever saw." by Mark Twain 1835-1910 (Excerpt from "A Letter from Santa Claus")


This recipe is one I always save especially for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve Night! It is a Carnie Wilson original!

Fudgy Make-Your-Belly-Pudgy Brownies
1 cup butter
1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 cups chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
1/3 cup whole milk
8 large marshmallows
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 16-oz. pkg. powdered sugar, sifted
Caramel Sauce
Chopped Peanuts


Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 13" x 9" x 2" pan with butter. (Now's the time to turn back if you're too afraid of the calories!) For the first layer, melt the cup of butter and cocoa in a double boiler. (Tip: You can also use a heatproof bowl or a saucepan sitting over another that contains simmering water, or use a microwave.) Remove from the heat and cool. Blend in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla; combine with the flour and salt and add to the chocolate mixture. Mix to combine until there are no big lumps; pour into the greased pan and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. It will rise a little, and when you poke the center with a toothpick, it should come out just about clean. But do not overbake: You want these puppies moist!
 Now, for the second layer: Spoon the peanut butter over the hot cake and spread it evenly while it's melting. (For-Your-Hips Tip: Don't eat any yet. Let it cool -- I mean it!)
 In a small saucepan, melt the butter, cocoa, milk, and marshmallows; add the salt and vanilla. Beat in the powdered sugar until it's totally combined with no lumps. (This is where I start to drool, but not in the pan!) Spread this third layer over the cooled peanut butter and check your pulse.
 Finally, drizzle the heated caramel sauce over the frosting and sprinkle with nuts if desired. Cut into squares the size of your choice and quickly shove into your mouth.

"To wish you every joy at Christmas time."

Estelle's and The Maine House