Bay Nut Brownies

Among all our native edible plants the nut of the bay laurel tree is one of the most delicious. Roasted bay nuts will remind you of chocolate and coffee, but with their own unique taste. They can be used in any recipe that calls for chocolate or coffee, including cookies, ice cream, pudding, kahlua, milkshakes, mousse, and brownies. Here is how to do it:
1) Gather bay nuts under bay trees in the fall. October & November are the best months.
2) Soak nuts in a bucket of water for a few days until the outer skins soften. Then remove skins.
3) Break shells with pliers to remove nuts, which will divide into two hemispheres.
4) Put nuts on a cookie sheet and roast in oven at about 375F for about 15 minutes. Check every few minutes to make sure they don't turn black. Remove from oven when nuts are brown.
5) Grind nuts into a powder with a coffee grinder or flour mill.

Bay Nut Brownies:

1) Preheat oven to 350F.

2) Grease & flour an 8 inch square pan.

3) In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of sugar & 2 eggs. Beat in 3/4 cup of ground roasted bay nut, 1/2 cup of all purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Pour batter into prepared pan.

4) Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.