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It’s hard to believe my oldest baby turns 8 today! We celebrated over the weekend with a sleepunder party. Think all the best parts of a sleepover (pajamas, movie, games, popcorn, ice cream sundaes, flash light tag) but then got to send the girls home to bed for a good night’s sleep. I found these adorable Dream Catcher Kits on Etsy for everyone to make and I have to say they turned out beautifully. A highlight of the evening was definitely witnessing a bunch of 8 year old girls watch Tom Hanks in the classic movie Big for the first time. My favorite line was overhearing one of the kids say, “Wait, I think I know that guy!” Hank’s staying power is pretty amazing, I highly recommend checking out this past weekend’s uplifting and heartwarming profile of him in the New York Times.

The whole party reminded me of the kind of DIY parties I used to grow up with, nothing fancy or over the top but filled with hours of screaming laughter (and a very messy house), it was perfect. But now for the real purpose of this post, I’m about to reveal the only brownie recipe you will ever need. I know that’s a bold statement but it’s true, I’ve tried a lot of recipes out there and this one beats them all. Sylvie doesn’t love birthday cakes (gasp!) so opted for brownies and a make your own sundae bar instead. This recipe can be prepared in about 10 minutes, and the brownies make the perfect base for just about any flavor ice cream. See recipe below:

Brenda’s Double Chocolate Chip Brownies:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsifted flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbs water
12 oz chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Directions:
Adjust rack to middle oven and pre-heat to 325 degrees. Grease a 9×9 baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. In a small pan, combine butter, sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add 6 oz (one cup) of chocolate chips and vanilla. Stir until melted and smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and add 2 eggs, one at a time. Gradually add flour. Stir in remaining chocolate chips. Spread in prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely. Invert onto a curling board. Cut into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.