We’ll start you out with this Rocky Road Brownie recipe from San Francisco chocolatier Michael Recchiuti.

The brownie, one of America’s favorite baked treats, was born in the U.S.A.—we just aren’t quite sure where, although evidence points to New England in the first few years of the 20th century.

Although cake-like and baked in a cake pan, the brownie is classified as a bar cookie rather than a cake.

There are thousands of recipes, both “cake” types and “fudge” types. Either is perfectly correct—and delicious.

Not every brownie has to be a “moist, fudgy brownie”—although even the people who sell them tend not to know the difference. See our discussion on the different styles of brownies.

• The history of brownies.
• The year’s 5 brownie holidays.
• 20 scrumptious brownie recipes.

 

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

This year, why not march to the beat of a different drummer and rock around a designer color tree on Christmas morning? Deck your halls differently with a Christmas tree from Treetopia, a premiere resource for artificial Christmas trees with attitude.

The pre-lit, stylish trees come in a variety of types, sizes and colors, but we liked the food-friendly sound of the “Cranberry Crush” tree (other designer colors available). The winner will receive a four-foot-tall tree decked out with clear lights. You’ll enjoy this “sustainable” Christmas tree for many years to come. If you prefer, you can donate it to your local children’s hospital or other group in need of holiday cheer.

Approximate Retail Value: $259.00

Celebrate Christmas with a chic colored tree from Treetopia.

A second winner may wake up on Christmas morning to his or her very own custom-blended MojaMix cereal. The prize is a $30 gift certificate to build one’s own dream breakfast cereal from scratch. Choose your favorite base cereal, dried fruit, nuts and possibly some “extras” like cacao nibs. Name your cereal and choose a quote or a photo for the front of the bag.

Retail Value: $30.00

• To Enter This Gourmet Giveaway: Go to the box at the bottom of our Cereals, Pancakes & Waffles Section and enter your email address for the prize drawing by noon on Monday, December 14th. (Privacy is observed; your email address will not be used for any other purpose.)

Lick the envelope—it tastes like bacon. Photo
by Hannah Kaminsky | THE NIBBLE.

From J&D’s, the folks who brought you Bacon Salt, here are envelopes that anyone will want to lick. J&D’s Bacon-Flavored Mmmvelopes not only taste like bacon, they can be enjoyed by those who are halal and kosher. All of J&D’s products are vegetarian and K-OF K kosher certified.

The envelopes have a pork belly design on both sides. Under the flap are the words, “Everything Should Taste Like Bacon.”

Well, not everything, guys. There’s still ice cream, cake, cookies, chocolate (with or without bacon), peanut butter, brioche, fries, onion rings, crab cakes, sushi, guacamole (add your own favorites here __________), and every great food that isn’t bacon.

• Get your Mmmvelopes at JDFoods.net.
• The Bacon Boys from J&D’s have a contest going. Submit your own recipe using any J&D’s product, or recipes using real bacon, by December 15th. You could win a J&D’s Everything Pack that includes one of everything they make. Go to the Recipes Section on J&D’s website and use the Submit Your Own Recipe; all submissions will be judged for the prize.