The brownie diaries My recipes for happy times, heartbreak and everything in between

"Whatever your problem in life, a brownie is the solution," writes British food editor Hyslop (Made in London) in this quirky ode to the humble chocolate dessert. Before diving into an array of cheekily named brownies, Hyslop unpacks the basic formula behind creating a perfectly gooey square (butter being a crucial for the "melt-in-your-mouth texture") and offers advice on which chocolates yield the best results (for darker varieties, she stresses "us something around 70% 'cocoa solids' " for a consistent bake). Paired with witty headnotes, notable recipes include her "ultimate" fudgy brownies ("I promise it will fill any hole in your life") and "emergency brownie," a two-minute concoction microwaved in a mug. " 'Help, I've got a hangover' brownies" incorporate maple syrup and bacon to "gently tug you into the land of living," while "'too good for children' Christmas brownies" are spiked with Irish cream for a grown-up twist. Hyslop also highlights a short history of chocolate (believed by the Mayans and Aztecs to be a "gift from the gods"), and includes a helpful section on troubleshooting such "brownie problems" as dryness, split batter, and inconsistent baking times. For those who love a midnight splurge or a midday pick-me-up, this tasty collection delivers. (Apr.)