My husband and his proposal brownies

My husband Dan and I have been together for eighteen years. He is a very kind, gentle man who stands a foot taller than myself, (I am what they call vertically challenged), with a smile to light up his face, and I am very happy to say the light is often shared with everyone. He smiles and sings often at home. There is something to be said about being in a family that breaks out into song...often.

A Brownie for You

One of the reasons I fell in love with my husband is his willingness to help. Because I am "vertically challenged" he reaches to the top of the cabinets, hangs pictures, changes light bulbs, and will on occasion hang a curtain or two. If he is anywhere in the vicinity when I reach for something above my head he will step behind me without my notice, reach and ask what I need.

When we first married he made brownies for me one night. I asked him about his recipe and he told me the story of what he calls his "Proposal Brownies." He said one night he made brownies for some of his female friends and was, indeed, given a marital proposal.

"The dickins, you say!" was my response. He tells me it happened more than once. So... I wonder if he waited to feed me brownies after the wedding... just to see if I loved him for more than his culinary arts!

Dan's Proposal Brownies

6 TBS cocoa (dutch processed)
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (preference only if you like chewier brownies)

Mix dry ingredients first. Mix softened butter and cocoa together and add eggs one at a time. Add sugar and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into oiled baking dish of choice (we use a pie pan) and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

We often double or triple this recipe because they go very fast!