Baking Day

Back when I worked in the fashion industry (read: sales girl at Baby Gap), a co-worker and I were chatting one Saturday evening as we merchandized the product (read: folded onesies) and she asked me if I had any big plans for the next day.  I thought for a minute and replied that I would be going to church and baking.  She looked a little startled and said, "Oh, like baking a special dessert?"  And I said no, just muffins and cookies and bread--you know things to get us through the week.  She was still looking at me a bit strangely when it dawned on me, UBER-ROMANTIC that I am, that the next day was Valentine's Day.

Well, Sunday is my baking day, Valentine's Day or not.

Today was no exception.  I made
1. Breakfast for tomorrow (Blueberry Yogurt Lemon Loaf)
2. Treats for after dinner tonight (Chocolate Zucchini Brownies)
3. Graham crackers for after school snack tomorrow
4. Cranberry Oatmeal Bars for breakfast on Wednesday
5.Banana Bread snack cake for after school snack on Wednesday

That doesn't even include breakfast for this morning--French toast that Ryan made.  He is so great. I just bake and bake and bake and he cleans up after me.  That's how it should be, right?  :)  His only comment, "I am so sick of being in the kitchen."

Really???  Cause I NEVER feel that way.

Chocolate Zucchini Brownies
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup white flour
1 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups shredded zucchini (I used 2 med. zucchini--is that plural?  Is one called a zucchino?)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, but so good!)

Frosting
5 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
2 TBSP butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk to cut calories)
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9x13 pan.

Mix together applesauce, sugar, honey and vanilla until well-blended. Add in flours, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  The mixture will be kind of crumbly and dry at this point.  Never fear!  Add in your shredded zucchini and watch it magically become nice and moist.  Stir in the optional walnuts at this point as well.  Bake for 25-30 minutes.  Let cool.

To make the frosting, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat and add in the cocoa.  In a bowl whisk the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.  Add in the chocolate mixture and mix well.  Spread over the cooled brownies and then you can eat!