Bake the Original Brownie of the 1893 World's Fair

9 Have Dabbled

ABOUT THIS EVENT
Event Category

Food & Drink

Event Overview

To start, we'll log into a virtual conference room where we'll be able to see each other and meet the other guests from anywhere in the world. Together we'll learn about the history of the chocolate brownie and how it was developed by the famous Palmer House Hotel in Chicago in 1893 for the Columbian Exhibition, also known as the World's Fair of 1893. While I share the details behind the invention of this confection, we'll make the brownie together using common ingredients that I'll forward in a list beforehand. (If you don't want to bake in tandem, that's perfectly fine, as I'll be forwarding the recipe for you to keep). While it bakes, I'll share memorable stories about Chicago's world-famous fair, like the inventions of Juicy Fruit Gum, the Chicago Hot Dog, the zipper and the Ferris Wheel. Through this historical recipe, we'll better understand why Chicago is a global culinary destination. I'll be in my urban farmhouse-style city apartment kitchen and you'll be in the comfort of your home. You're welcome to open a bottle of wine or beer or mix up a fun cocktail during our time together. In our minds we'll relive 1893, learn something new make new friends and "share" a delicious brownie. You'll find out why this dessert became a favorite across the globe!


Note that I'll be emailing full recipe and materials (bowls, spatula, etc.) before the event.

What to Bring

1/2lb butter, 7 oz. semisweet chocolate, 3/4 cups sugar, 1/4 c. all-purpose flour, 4 eggs, 1.5 teaspons vanilla extract, 6 oz crushed walnuts (optional). For Optional Glaze: 1/4 c. water, 1/4 c. apricot (or other fruit) preserves, 1 tsp gelatin (optional)

Minimum age

All ages welcome

What's Provided

The Original 1893 Brownie Recipe

What You Can Expect From This Experience
  • Bake the Original Brownie
  • Learn 1893 World's Fair History
Cancellation Policy
Location

Virtual

There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for this Dabble. Log in to an account message the host or add to your bucket list to be automatically notified when new dates are posted.

MORE ABOUT YOUR HOST

I'm Kelly (a.k.a. ChiCitiGirl), a mapgeek, history enthusiast, architecture admirerer and food fanatic. I'm a trained city guide (5star tours!) and I've been doing excursions for friends & family for decades. The Windy City has been my home for 25+ years and I know how to get around to experience the best sights and bites. Working and teaching in the food and beverage industry for 10+ years has given me added insight into some of Chicago's hottest spots and historical buildings. I'm also a Chicago Artictecture Center Open House volunteer and Chicago History Museum member, using their library to research Chicago as well as the history of the 125+ year Victorian building I call home. I've traveled the world doing walking tours and know from personal experience how to make the best of our time together. I try to make a new friend every day, come play with me!

EXPERIENCE REVIEWS

  • Default user photo
    Jane B.
    Reviewed on 06/21/20

    Kelly was a fantastic instructor and made my first "Dabble" experience so much fun! The 90 minute session flew by with a good balance between how to make these special brownies (can't wait to bake them myself) and the right amount of Chicago world's fair history! I took the class on a Friday evening and it was a great way to end the work-from-home week learning a little something new and different. I'd definitely take another Dabble class from Kelly.

    Kelly was a fantastic instructor and made my first "Dabble" experience so much fun! The 90 minute session flew by with a good balance between how to make these special brownies (can't wait to bake them myself) and the right amount of Chicago world's fair history! I took the class on a Friday evening and it was a great way to end the work-from-home week learning a little something new and different. I'd definitely take another Dabble class from Kelly.

  • Default user photo
    Judith W.
    Reviewed on 06/14/20

    The brownie baking experience was a blast!!
    Kelly is a great Chicago historian and foodie !
    I look forward to taking some of her tours and other Dabble classes !
    I would recommend taking this class !
    I

    The brownie baking experience was a blast!!
    Kelly is a great Chicago historian and foodie !
    I look forward to taking some of her tours and other Dabble classes !
    I would recommend taking this class !
    I

  • Default user photo
    Shawn S.
    Reviewed on 06/11/20

    My host, Kelly, was extremely accommodating host today. Kelly is super knowledgable, a great mix of chef and historian. It felt like she really got to know me and taught me a lot about Chicago history and gastronomy. All the technology worked out swimmingly. I think that Kelly gave us great value with this experience and I highly recommend this for anyone interested. Thanks Kelly!

    My host, Kelly, was extremely accommodating host today. Kelly is super knowledgable, a great mix of chef and historian. It felt like she really got to know me and taught me a lot about Chicago history and gastronomy. All the technology worked out swimmingly. I think that Kelly gave us great value with this experience and I highly recommend this for anyone interested. Thanks Kelly!

  • Default user photo
    R K.
    Reviewed on 06/11/20

    This was a unique and fun experience mixing history and baking. Recommend for anyone interested in either topic as the host, Kelly, did a great job mingling the two. As the brownie was baking, she gave a visual presentation of the history surrounding the brownie by taking us back to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. We never knew how many inventions came about from the Fair, interesting to learn the impression that it has left on us even today. Oh, and the brownie was spectacular, she gave us several suggestions on how to serve it... but that was unnecessary as we ended up just eating it right out of the pan! We had a blast and got a delicious snack that lasted several days. Would recommend to anyone doing it that they prepare the ingredients beforehand (measure them, melt the butter and chop the nuts) as that helped to move things along a bit.

    This was a unique and fun experience mixing history and baking. Recommend for anyone interested in either topic as the host, Kelly, did a great job mingling the two. As the brownie was baking, she gave a visual presentation of the history surrounding the brownie by taking us back to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. We never knew how many inventions came about from the Fair, interesting to learn the impression that it has left on us even today. Oh, and the brownie was spectacular, she gave us several suggestions on how to serve it... but that was unnecessary as we ended up just eating it right out of the pan! We had a blast and got a delicious snack that lasted several days. Would recommend to anyone doing it that they prepare the ingredients beforehand (measure them, melt the butter and chop the nuts) as that helped to move things along a bit.

  • Default user photo
    Jan K.
    Reviewed on 05/28/20

    I was excited to make Mrs. Palmers brownies. These are tied to Chicago's Worlds Fair of 1893. I live in the Chicago area and I'm always very interested in learning more. My guide for this experience was Kelly. She sent all ingredients and directions ahead so I could be ready. It was very easy to make brownies with Kelly! She was very helpful and her directions were very clear. During our baking time Kelly shared wonderful information about this Word Fair. I really enjoyed this time!

    I was excited to make Mrs. Palmers brownies. These are tied to Chicago's Worlds Fair of 1893. I live in the Chicago area and I'm always very interested in learning more. My guide for this experience was Kelly. She sent all ingredients and directions ahead so I could be ready. It was very easy to make brownies with Kelly! She was very helpful and her directions were very clear. During our baking time Kelly shared wonderful information about this Word Fair. I really enjoyed this time!

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