Photo by Alan Clanton/Thursday Review

Is It Really National Brownie Day?
| published December 8, 2014 |

By Thursday Review editors

 

Yes, Virginia, there IS a National Brownie Day, and it is today, December 8. In fact, Brownie Day is celebrated all over the world—not just in the United States, where they were invented in the early years of the 20th century as a cookie-type treat, not a cake.

Which leads us to the age old debate about brownies.

There are generally two camps: those who want their brownies to have a fluffy, cake-like texture; and those who regard the classic brownie as requiring a weightier, fudgy feel and heft. Though Thursday Review officially endorses neither of these preferences—choosing the inclusive, multi-cultural view that all brownies are inherently good—we understand that some advocates of one or the other chocolate treat can get rather emotionally invested in that great debate. (We also prefer to stay out of that debate so that we can avoid being unfriended on Facebook or booted from Stumble Upon for uttering something about the classic treat which might offend those with a sensitive palette).

Over the previous century, brownie bakers and treat lovers all over the world have developed a wide variety of variations on the brownie: brownies packed with pecan chips, brownies loaded with peanuts or peanut butter, some with cashews or almonds, some with dates, some with swirls of caramel and fudge, even some with raisins, cranberries and vanilla cream. All fine and good—but are they brownies? Everyone will have an opinion, and some may want to share it on the occasion of a day of recognition for brownies.

To celebrate, Thursday Review wants to hear from you. Send us your favorite memory of your favorite brownies, or better still—send us your best recipe (along with a reasonably clear image). We’ll publish your short article on our Food Page, and the best entry will receive a $25 gift card!

Send your article/recipe to thursdayreview@thursdayreview.com no later than December 20, 2014.