jars from heaven in the woods.

Well, chocolate heaven. If you’re into that sort of thing.

Mr. Woods, who NEVER requests anything specific, asked for brownies.

Ohhhhhh did he get brownines.

Why send conventionally cooked brownies that would likely be dried out by the time he got them, when you could send moist gooey brownies in jars?

Well, you wouldn’t. Which is why I didn’t.

Step 1: Make brownies from a box. I’m kinda busy sometimes, don’t judge.

I chose Ghirardelli, based on Cooks Illustrated’s recommendation.

Pour batter, minus the 5 spoonfuls that you ate, into the jars.

Cook according to the box. I cooked mine to 90% doneness so they were extra gooey for my chocolate lover :)

Step 2: Boil the heck out of the lids and rims.

Step 3: Strain the lids and rims.

Tidbit of advice: don’t try and take pictures while dumping boiling water in your sink.

Step 4: WITH AN OVEN MITT OR SOMETHING NOT YOUR HAND (trust me.) quickly put the lids and rims on TIGHTLY.

Once you think they are tightly screwed on, make them tighter.

Step 5: Wait for the button to pop.

Once it pops, let the jars cool completely, or it might melt the bubble wrap you’re using.

Step 6: Include spoons and napkins.

Send overseas :)

Mr. Woods said these were the best brownies he had ever had.

Of course I immediately felt guilty because I didn’t really even “make” them. BUT, I had two good take-aways from that.

1: He was happy. That means I’m happy.

2: Ghirardelli brownies are really good.

Not my first rodeo…

Here is a picture of Mr. Woods from last year, eating his birthday cake (that I also cooked in jars) on his first deployment.

That package included cake, a tub of frosting, and sprinkles.

I can’t wait to stop baking things in jars one day.