I can’t believe the school year is coming to an end and soon my girls and I will be on summer break. The school year went by so fast and it’s hard to believe that we’ve already been here in Madison for 7 months!
Back in November when we were moving from Seattle, I was so stressed and worried. . more for my oldest, Phoebe, who was in 1st grade. She started the school year here in Washington, we moved and then she had to start a new school in Wisconsin a couple months after the school year had started and would be the new kid. Little did I know that being the new kid when you’re in 1st grade is actually a kinda cool thing.
And when we were here in August house hunting, we actually got to meet Phoebe’s teacher, Mrs. P. So, we moved, I was stressed and was frantically trying to get the girls into a new routine, waking up earlier than they were used to because of the new school start time. Turns out, there wasn’t much for me to be worried about. We did have a bit of a rocky start . . Phoebe was tested and was actually a little behind in Math.
Behind in math in 1st grade! yes, you heard me right.
I’m not sure what she was supposed to know by the start of 1st grade but she’s on track now and we actually had a pretty exciting school year. And because I’m at home, I got to volunteer in Phoebe’s class every Wednesday so I got to know the other kids, Mrs. P, the office staff (namely Janice), the principal and some of the other volunteers on staff at Phoebe’s school. Mrs. P was the perfect teacher for my daughter. She was firm but still made learning fun. She makes all of the kids feel comfortable and at ease. This is unfortunately not the case with all elementary school teachers . . so I hear . .
Seeing my once very very shy Phoebe in her classroom every week, interacting with her classmates and friends (I volunteer during their Daily 5 Time where they go from station to station working on reading, writing and spelling) and holding hands with her friends and laughing and smiling when they are lined up to go to the cafeteria. It’s so cute! I am so grateful for Mrs. P, Janice and all the other volunteers and staff I’ve gotten to know at our elementary school and know we were meant to be here . . and so I baked these Double Fudge Brownies for them as my way of saying “thank you” and gave them out on Wednesday, when I was there volunteering.
Now, I’ve had some pretty darn good brownies before. . but THESE double fudge brownies are amazing. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! I’m convinced it was the quality ingredients I used.
We actually made these brownies in Minneapolis when we were there for #BakeForGood and I’m telling you, this triple cocoa blend is the bomb! SO GOOD!
And the Barry Callebaut Semisweet Chocolate Chunks are the best I have ever tasted. It’s all about good quality chocolate my friends. It totally makes a difference.
So, if you’re looking for a fudgey, chocolately, densely rich, absolutely delicious and perfect brownie recipe, this is it my friends.
Click here to get this RECIPE on KingArthurFlour.com.
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. King Arthur Flour provided the Triple Cocoa Blend and the Semisweet Chocolate Chunks featured above. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own and I did this post in support of #BakeForGood.
Peggy Gilbey McMackin says
May 30, 2014 at 7:32 amWhat a terrific gift for school and staff, they look awesome. Yes, best quality chocolate does make the difference. Happy all worked out well for Phoebe in her new school. Love seeing my grandson and all of the kids get off the bus each afternoon with smiling faces, agreed, great teachers make all the difference!
hipfoodiemom says
May 30, 2014 at 9:21 amThanks so much, Peggy!! yes we are very happy too! caring teachers and a great staff at the school make all the difference in our children’s education!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
May 30, 2014 at 8:56 amI STILL think about those brownies! So happy for your girls and good luck at the recital this weekend!
hipfoodiemom says
May 30, 2014 at 9:19 amAwh, thanks Erin!!! I know, right?! I had to get a bag of the semisweet chocolate chunks to bake! so good!!! I made 2 batches of brownies! one to keep and one to give away! 🙂
Zainab says
May 30, 2014 at 9:16 amThese brownies look sooooo rich!! I can see the chocolate decadence. Hope the girls have fun this weekend!
hipfoodiemom says
May 30, 2014 at 9:20 amThanks so much Zainab!! 🙂 Dude, you’ve got to try these baking products from King Arthur Flour. . so so good. . seriously the best brownies I have ever had.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
May 30, 2014 at 12:04 pmAlice, I’m feeling very emotional this week (I don’t know whyyyyyyyy) and this post really touched me. I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear how well Phoebe is doing in her new school. She sounds like she’s flourishing, which must be wonderful to see. I can still remember how I felt in elementary school. I started out very shy too and it was hard for me to make friends. It can be so isolating. No child should have to feel alone and friendless but unfortunately, there are many. I’m glad that Phoebe’s not one of them! As for these brownies, I can’t think of a better way to say thank you to all the hard working, fabulous people at the school. They look so fudgy ‘n dark ‘n delicious! Happy Friday, my friend. Enjoy your weekend with the family!
hipfoodiemom says
May 30, 2014 at 1:19 pmAwh, thank you Nancy. . you’re making me get all teary eyed! love you, girl!
Alice says
May 30, 2014 at 4:51 pmI’m always struck by the warmth & heart in your stories! Chocolate gifts are the very best in most situations.
It must be wonderful to see your girls blossoming as they grow up. How cool that you get to volunteer & be a part of those early years at school too 🙂
hipfoodiemom says
May 31, 2014 at 6:21 amthank you so much, Alice!! yes, I am thankful I have this opportunity now. . now when they still think I’m cool and want me to be around! 😛
Matt Robinson says
May 30, 2014 at 5:44 pmThese are seriously my idea of the perfect brownie, Alice. So great!!
hipfoodiemom says
May 31, 2014 at 6:22 amThanks so much, Matt!! Like I said in my post, I think the ingredients make these brownies! I’m sure you guys have quality chocolate in the house. . makes such a difference!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
May 30, 2014 at 6:35 pmHoly moly are these some absolutely awesome brownies!!
hipfoodiemom says
May 31, 2014 at 6:23 amhaha, thanks girl! These are absolutely legit!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
May 30, 2014 at 8:56 pmThese look so rich and chocolatey! I love a good brownie. That King Arthur Cocoa blend is my absolute favorite – I can’t use anything else now!
cheri says
May 31, 2014 at 2:38 pmSo wonderful you can volunteer at school and see how your daughter interacts with others. What a great experience, she will probably remember very fondly how you were there. As for the brownies, they look amazing, what a nice thing to share.
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
June 1, 2014 at 8:39 amThat’s so sweet that you volunteer in your daughter’s classroom! I’m sure the teacher really appreciates you! And these brownies… these brownies! Oh my goodness I want these in my belly right now! They look perfectly fudgy!
Maria | Pink Patisserie says
June 1, 2014 at 4:57 pmI miss those days of volunteering in my boys class! Enjoy them! So glad that your daughter is doing well! I have to say that I’m with you on these brownies!! We made them too at the BFG event here in Seattle and it was all I could do to not stick my entire face in the pan.. So, so good!
Kelly - LEFT SIDE OF THE TABLE says
June 2, 2014 at 9:40 amOhhh Alice I love that you get to volunteer at Phoebe’s school and get a little peek into her world in school. I’m sure she’ll be fine even though they said she’s behind in math. Math totally didn’t make sense to me some years and I really struggled, and other years I flourished and totally got everything. I think it’s all about the teacher…maybe? Anywho, I remember seeing these brownies on Insta, they look ohhhh so fudgey and yummy!! Pinned for later! Happy Monday 😀