Butterfinger Brownies on the Road

Isn't it weird how "blog time" just flies by? You see a recipe that you really dig on someone else's blog, and you think it's been swirling in your head for a week? Then you return to their blog to get good ideas, and you realize it's been 6 months?

This just happened to me. I had been thinking about Gluten Hates Me's Butterfinger Brownies. She made them for a Betty Crocker recipe challenge. And yes, I totally thought it was last week. Maybe the middle of June. It turns out she made Butterfinger Brownies in November 2010!

The other thing that seems to be cruising by is the summer. I'm in Washington DC right now, attending a work conference. Um, East Coast? It is seriously humid here. I know everyone says that. It's just been a serious shock to my system. Thankfully, I guess even the Capitol residents think it's hot right now, and it is served up nicely with 90% humidity.

My hair is curly, my clothes are a little damp, the left side of my face is sunburned. I'm learning a lot, and I figured out after the first day how to stay better hydrated. And that taking the Metro is better if you don't want to be outside cooking alive.

I'm excited to share with you my recap of gluten free cupcakes from Red Velvet, a DC specialty. And when I return home, I've got a cool wrap up prepared for you about all the interesting places I ate. Traveling as a gluten free and dairy free eater is no small feat, and I haven't quite gone hungry yet!

Last Year: Recipe for Fresh Pea Soup
Two Years Ago: A Review of Gluten Free Orange Creme Cupcakes

Butterfinger Brownies, after flying 3500 miles in a Ziploc bag, battered in the outside pocket of my suitcase, photographed in my hotel room.

Butterfinger Brownies
adapted from Gluten Hates Me's recipe

One recipe fudgey brownies, made dairy free by replacing the butter with Spectrum Organic shortening
1 Butterfinger candy bar

Prepare the brownies as the recipe directs. I broke off some of the candy bits and put them in the batter, but they really just melt away. So, I recommend baking the brownies for all but 5 minutes of their baking time, and then covering it with crushed candy bar. Then, turn the oven on broil, and put the brownies back in until the butterfinger melts some and bubbles on top of the brownies. It only broils for about 3 minutes, so watch carefully! Slice, pack, and throw in your suitcase.