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Since I missed doing a “Foodie Friday” post last week, I thought I would combine a recipe with a post which celebrates Cinco de Mayo. I’m not sure WHY we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, other than to have an excuse to drink a lot of beer and/or tequila – and since we don’t drink beer or tequila at the Koch Casa, it’s just another day around here….

I haven’t actually tried this recipe myself, as Paul and I don’t really like spicy things, but I’ve been told that lots of people like the extra “zing” that chili peppers add to the taste of chocolate. This recipe looked intriguing, so I thought I would share it with you – if you don’t have to eat gluten-free, just use regular all-purpose flour and omit the xanthan gum and salt:

Chili Pepper Brownies

MAKES 20 BROWNIES
These scrumptious brownies combine chili peppers and chocolate with the rich flavors of cinnamon and vanilla.

¾ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
¾ teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if already in flour blend)
⅛ teaspoon salt (omit if already in flour blend)
1⅓ cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 large eggs, room temperature
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
¾ teaspoon ground chili powder or 3-4 small dried New Mexico chili peppers
¼ cup vegetable oil of choice
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
⅓ cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×9-inch pan and line with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Add eggs, one at a time, or egg replacer and blend with a wooden spoon or hand mixer.

3. In a small saucepan, melt butter or dairy-free butter alternative. Add chili powder or whole dried chili peppers. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to infuse chili flavor into butter. If using whole chilis, remove them from butter after 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Stir oil and chili butter into batter just until incorporated. Add vanilla and chocolate chips and blend just until incorporated. Batter will be thick and fudge like.

5. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan, smoothing top with a knife.

6. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 24 to 28 minutes or until center is set. Let cool before slicing.