For Immediate Release:

Crackly-chewy brownies show appreciation across the ocean

WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS

(May 01, 2013) – Show your appreciation for a soldier this Memorial Day (May 27th) by sending a treat overseas. Nothing will carry the taste of home more than crackly-but-chewy brownies, carefully packaged to arrive at a soldier’s bunk in fresh, delicious pieces.

To ship cookies safely, allow them to cool thoroughly and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Place a layer of crinkled wax paper in the bottom of a metal cookie tin so that it fully covers the edges of the tin. Layer the brownies carefully, then fill in remaining crevices with air-popped popcorn to absorb moisture. Cover brownies with additional wax paper and put the lid on the tin. Wrap the tin in plastic wrap to keep air out. Check hugsforsoldiers.org, anysoldier.com or visit a local U.S. Armed Services Center for mailing addresses and additional shipping instructions.

This recipe (below), developed by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, is designed to survive long travel times and still taste incredible, thanks to the strong, rich flavor of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Pure Chocolate Flavor.

Not So Blonde Brownies
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Chocolate Extract
2 tablespoons Kahlúa
1 cup coarsely shopped white chocolate
1/4 cup coarsely chopped nuts of choice (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt together. Set aside.

2. Cream the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the chocolate extract and Kahlúa. Add the sifted dry ingredients in two additions, beating well after each addition. Fold in the white chocolate chunks and nuts.

3. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the batter over the bottom of the pan with a rubber spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Serves 15

About Nielsen-Massey
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey's Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans.

Nielsen-Massey also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are Allergen-Free and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

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Photos are available upon request. For more information about Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, contact:
Gardi Wilks, gwilks@savoragency.com
Savor – the food agency, 847.556.7511