Kera Bentz

Hi, my name is Kera Bentz. I am a dairy Ambassador on the Juniata Dairy Promotion Court. I am 16 years old and a Senior in high school. My favorite dairy promotion is working in the ice cream trailer at Juniata County Fair. Did you know a cow produces an average of 6.3 gallons of milk daily and 350,000 glasses of milk in a lifetime. One of my favorite dairy recipes is Buttermilk Brownies.

Brownies: Softened butter, for the pan 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 cups granulated sugar,

2 large eggs, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Instructions:

1. For the brownies, preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 9″x13″ baking pan with softened butter, set the pan aside.

2. Heat the butter, cocoa powder, vegetable oil and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil Remove from the heat and allow to cool just until warm: set aside.

3. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl. set aside.

4. Combine the granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the cooled cocoa mixture.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

6. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Frosting: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1(1 pound) box powdered sugar, (4 3/4 cups) teaspoon vanilla extract, Pinch of salt.

7. For the frosting, combine the butter. buttermilk and cocoa powder in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Remove from heat.

8. Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a large mixing bowl. Slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the sugar mixture, beating with an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue beating until smooth and creamy. Allow to cool completely.

9. After the brownies have cooled. spread the frosting evenly over the top.