A Few of My Favorite Things: Part I

Cliffs: Early this last year, I was introduced to the absolute best brownies ever.

It all started on Facebook. I have a friend in Vermont who was given a sampler pack of Vermont Brownie Company brownies for Valentine's Day. He raved about them online, and I--half in jest--asked if the company shipped internationally. My friend, J, who is all enthusiasm and support, sent me the information for the company, confirmed that they do ship abroad, and then persuaded me that I could not live much longer without trying the chocolate treats.

So I write the owners of the company, the brownies travel across the Atlantic and then across Europe, and I fall in love, just as predicted. I never meant for things to get this far.

The packaging is simple and elegant and the brownies are so rich that I often have to take a milk break between bites. Flavors include things like maple toffee crunch, peanut butter, mint pattie, dark chocolate chevre, white chocolate raspberry, and my favorite: espresso dulce de leche. You can even order fun things like brownie bites, heart-shaped brownies, and brownie wedding favors.

The two ladies who started the company couldn't be nicer or more helpful, and I was really excited to learn that they just scored a spot on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. I don't know who won or when the show will air, but in the meantime you might want to order your presents or your own special stash now before they become overwhelmed with new publicity and orders.