Warm the soul with winter treats

Were we are, slipping into winter -- the days growing shorter, the weather cooler and wetter, and the air palpable with holiday excitement. Streets, trees and houses are strung with twinkling lights, buildings are lit with neon, and the world is transformed from ordinary to magical. \nBut just as you are about to sing a few fa-la-las, you catch a glimpse of your exhausted reflection in the rearview mirror. You're pooped, your friends are pooped and the few days before the semester ends might as well be an eternity away for all you have to get done between now and then. \nYou need a good night's rest, a hiatus, a small miracle. \nYou need brownies.\nEveryone has a recipe for the best brownies, and they also have different ideas about what a brownie should be like. Those who are passionate about brownies argue in defense of their favorite. Some prefer cakey brownies; others crave moist and light varieties, while still others like dense and chewy brownies with frosting, nuts and the works. \nI think that a brownie should be able to stand on its own or get all dressed up with equal ease. It should also have a deep chocolate flavor, a texture that won't crumble in your mouth (actually, a little roof-sticking is good) and a thin crust on top. \nNow here's my dirty secret: my favorite brownies come straight from the box. Of all the brownie recipes I have tried over the years, it is original-style fudge brownies from a mix that consistently get my vote for perfection. Moreover, the ease of preparation affords me the opportunity to crank up the flavor and excitement with a variety of simple stir-ins, flavor enhancers and toppings. \nHow about double chocolate brownies with cinnamon icing? Maybe rocky road pecan brownies suit your fancy? Or perhaps plumped up dried apricots or cranberries, stirred in for a tart-sweet contrast, whets your appetite.\nI have provided some of my favorite options, but don't be afraid to trawl through your cupboards for your own inspiration. \nFor die-hard chocolate purists, opt for the flavor enhancers. Replace oil with melted butter and add a dose of vanilla extract; it will make a profound difference. Or replace the water in the recipe with liqueur to produce a wildly luxurious treat. Or consider an addition of semi-sweet chocolate chunks or morsels to the batter to create the epitome of brownie goodness. \nGo ahead, try one or several options this weekend. Invite a few friends over and surround yourselves with a symphony of candles, seasonal music and old movies. You will amaze yourselves with your brownie creations, leaving you wondering whether your accounting textbook should be abandoned in favor of the Fannie Farmer Baking Book \nAluminum baking pans (including the $1 foil tins at the supermarket) are my choice for brownie baking. There are too many contentious variables with other materials. Use the 8 x 8 inch square size for a thick, bakery-style brownie. Follow the baking time exactly, checking at the minimum baking time first. Insert a toothpick two inches form the pan's edge. If it comes out barely moist, they're ready.\nThe same brownies that provide you with extensive comfort and sustenance also make ideal gifts. If you have more friends, relatives and good intentions than time and money, purchase a bundle of square foil baking pans, an armful of brownie mixes, and an assortment of stir-ins to create easy presents everyone will love. An added bonus is that when the streets are packed, the malls are jammed and the nearest parking space is somewhere west of the North Pole, you will be cozy in your kitchen, licking the bowl.\nIf there is a more perfect partner for brownies than milk, I do not know it. A cold glass is always good, but to ward off the chills, try a steaming mug full of honey-vanilla steamer. When you heat the milk and blend it in a blender for a minute, you get the same frothy effect as expensive steamed milk from the local coffee bar. Be sure to do it one cup at a time: overfilling the blender with hot liquid will create a vacuum, forcing a winter wonderland milk explosion on your walls. Festive, but messy. Students, start your ovens.