Zebras Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
• Melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat, let cool slightly- (Or place the chips in a bowl and microwave on HIGH, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted, about 2 minutes.) Set aside.
• Sift together the flour and baking powder and set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and the brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.
• Add in the vanilla.
• Stir in the sifted dry ingredients until blended.
• Transfer half of the mixture to another bowl.
• Stir melted chocolate into one portion until blended.
• Spread chocolate batter in the prepared pan.
• Drop remaining batter by tablespoonfuls onto the chocolate batter.
• Spread carefully into an even layer.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips and the walnuts.
• Bake on the center rack for 30 minutes, or until the edges begin to pull from the sides of the pan.
• Cool in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

Steps:

• For the marshmallow fondant: Combine the marshmallows and 1 1/2 teaspoons water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Add about three-quarters of the sifted confectioners' sugar to the marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. Once the mixture becomes too stiff to stir, grease a work surface and your hands with shortening (or wear greased plastic disposable gloves) and dump the mixture onto the work surface. Knead, adding the remaining quarter of confectioners' sugar a little at a time, until the fondant is very smooth, not sticky and holds its shape in a ball without relaxing. Use right away or grease it lightly with additional shortening, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight plastic bag or container at room temperature for up to several days.
• Remove a 1-ounce piece from the fondant ball (about 2 tablespoons). Wearing plastic disposable gloves, color the 1-ounce piece black (about 3 drops), rolling and kneading to evenly incorporate the color. Work in a little confectioners' sugar if the moisture from the food coloring makes the fondant too soft.
• For the zebra head, legs, arms, ears and body: With greased hands, divide the white fondant into 6 pieces (one piece for each zebra). From the first piece, pinch off a portion of fondant and roll into a head. Pinch off 2 more pieces and roll them into stubby legs. Remove 2 more pieces of fondant and roll into arms. Pinch off 2 tiny pieces of fondant and roll them into triangular ears; use a toothpick to make a crease in each ear. Pinch off a small piece of fondant and reserve for the nose. Roll the remaining piece of white fondant into the body.
• For the zebra stripes, hair, eyes and markings. With greased hands, divide the black fondant into 6 pieces (one piece for each zebra). From the first piece, pinch off small pieces and roll into thin lines for stripes. Pinch off a small piece and shape into a circle for hair, using a toothpick to make indents around the circle. Pinch off 4 small pieces and shape into circles for the pads at the end of the arms and legs. Pinch off 2 tiny black pieces and roll into balls for eyes. Pinch off a small piece of black fondant for the nose.
• For the nose, combine the white and black fondant nose pieces into one gray piece and shape into an oval. Use a toothpick to poke 2 nostrils in the nose.
• Build the zebra: Add a black circle to the end of each arm and leg, using a little water to attach them. Add stripes to the arms and legs. Press the legs together to join them in a "v" shape and set the legs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add the body in between the legs and arrange the arms on the side of the body. Add stripes to the head and attach the ears on either side, using a little water if needed. Attach the hair on top of the head in between the ears, using a little water and pressing lightly to adhere. Press the eyes and nose onto the face, using a little water if needed. Press the head on top of the body to adhere.
• Repeat with the remaining white and black fondant to make 5 additional zebras. Let the zebras dry, uncovered, overnight.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar; beat until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs, vanilla, flour and baking powder until well mixed.
• Melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips in the microwave or over low heat on the stove.
• Place half of the batter into a medium-sized bowl and stir in the melted chocolate.
• Spread evenly in a greased 9x13 baking pan.
• Drop tablespoons of the remaining batter over the chocolate batter and drag the blade of a butter knife through the batter to create zebra stripes. Sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips and walnuts.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Cool completely before cutting into bars.