peanut butter chip brownies

Life has been so crazy and hectic, I just haven't had time to do any baking.

Until Valentine's Day, that is, which is only appropriate given it's the day we celebrate the loves of our lives. For me, that would be chocolate. 

Last week {well maybe it was two weeks ago? or three? my life lately is a big fat blur.}, we drove from Otji aaaaaaaaall the way down to Cape Town, South Africa to meet my grandparents {!!!!!}. It was a painful 17 hours of driving in the dry, hot, boring dessert. And unlike the US, there's no Starbucks to stop at on the way. Tragic, I know. 

I settled for WIMPY coffee {good 'ol African fast food} and zoomed through a whole 2 and a half books the way there and back. I just love reading. And when I find a book I love, I often times can not. get. my face. out of it! 

After spending a week in Cape Town, all 7 of us {my family and my grandparents} plus all the luggage {which was A LOT!} piled into our little van and made the long journey back to Otji, only to spend one night at home and get on the road again the next morning to head up to a game reserve for the next 3 nights. That brings us to now. 

I'm so happy to be home! It felt so amazing to sleep in my own bed, eat our own food MADE in our own house, and shower in my own bathroom. I love traveling, but two weeks of go go go is noooot my cup of tea. Especially in Africa, where it takes a minimum of 2 hours to get to one town to the next! Oy.

Brownies = real life. 

peanut butter chip brownies 

1 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1 c. white sugar

1 c. flour

1/2 c. cocoa powder

1/2 c. peanut butter chips 

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease a 9x9 in. pan; set aside. 

2. In a large bowl, ream together the butter, eggs, and sugar. 

3. Once combined, add the flour and cocoa; stir until smooth. 

4. Fold in the peanut butter chips and pour batter into greased pan. 

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes- they should be just slightly underdone. 

6. Let cool on a wire rack before slicing into squares.