This yummy #StarOliveOil sponsored post has been brought to you by a Collective Bias social shopper insights study. As always my thoughts, opinions, and olive oil goodness are my own.
I remember the first time I made brownies. I couldn’t have been older then 13 and company was over. It was a simple mix but at some point where there should have been 1/2 cup of oil, I put in 2 cups. TWO cups people…of oil, to which I can even recall measuring out dolefully. {LOL}
I was horribly embarrassed, but when my Grandfather ate his entire portion, {regardless of its oil-laden monstrosity} his simple gesture kept me eager to learn and bake better. And so here we are…on my quest for the perfect chewy brownie and art of pairing baking and oils to obtain it. Enter the attempt at keeping things {at least a tad} healthier, and I love to explore baking with olive oils. And I couldn’t help but pick up a new Star Olive Oil from Walmart the other day to bake in the place of vegetable oil.
One of three new varieties {Arbequina, Hojiblanca, Picual}, the brand I wanted to try most was one created for vegetables actually. The Star brand “Arbequina” extra virgin olive oil boasts a slightly almond flavor with green apple highlights. The fact it advertised as a sweeter oil, meant that not only will it be great on veggies or as a salad dressing but it should also be a brilliant exchange for baked goods. Now…lets get to the brownies shall we?
I love experimenting in the kitchen. And while the crunchy brownies are all the rage right now, that isn’t what I love. I adore the chewy edges that often resemble a dense cookie. And since its all about the edge ratio, I’ve found that my brownie cookies turn out best in a Whoopie Pie baking pan. Which basically means I can obtain my favorite chewy brownie cookie as seasonally shaped or routinely round as I want the whole year through.
And if wouldn’t be my kind of brownie cookie if its not sem-homemade. So I grab my favorite gooey boxed brand and substitute my new Star Olive Oil for the requested vegetable oil {normally a 1/2 cup}. Mixed up as directed, I then layer in the batter to the 3/4 mark on my whoopie pie pan shapes and bake at 325° for 10 minutes.
Just like a chewy cookie, the trick is to take them out at the earliest time noted. Then simply leave in the pan to continue to cook while they cool. Make sure to use a touch of butter or more Star Olive Oil to pre-treat the pan shapes for easier removal. I just break the edges and they pop right out. Note: If you don’t wait for them to cool long enough, they’ll want to break apart.
And voila! You have simple, easy, chewy brownie whoopie cookies to delight your family and guests. Each year we love to send Holiday care packages to our loved ones. This year instead of the traditional holiday cookie we’ll be sending our new favorite, the whoopie cookie.
That is…if I can manage to fill the box before the plate is empty. If they only knew they get even better after a day or two! {LOL} Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Like the aspect of making your baking oils healthier? Want to see which Star Olive Oil is best for your kitchen? Then make sure to check out the Star brand Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest pages for great products, the full list of products and recipe ideas. They love to sponsor giveaways on their Facebook page as well, so make sure to check for the latest to win great olive oils for you kitchen as well.
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and their client. As always, my thoughts – opinions – and overall enthusiasm are my own. Thank you. #StarOliveOil #cbias #SocialFabric
Lori Pace says
Oh these look SO good. I need that pan! #client