The Brownie Bandit

Thistle entered her cottage, drenched, sore, and frustrated. She slammed the door behind her and almost screamed, but then remembered the residents taking shelter in her living room.

She steadied herself with a little stomp, a shaky breath, and a pout before marching to the only solitary space let in her cottage.

Though she’d offered many times for residents to take her bed, they believed it was one of the spaces she should keep for herself. Today, they were right.

As soon as she got in, she took off her soaked garments, laying them by the fire next to her nightstand. She put away her grimoire on her work desk carefully, knowing that she had hours of research to do well into the night. A sour fate after hours of cleaning, fixing, building, and reinforcing. All she had to show for her day were aching bones and an even more aching heart.

She grabbed her pillow and screamed into it with all her might, although you’d never know it, as it barely made a sound. After the minor satisfaction, her muscles loosened slightly.

She removed her face from her now mud-soaked pillow, only then realizing that she hadn’t yet washed her hands. She tossed the pillow back onto the bed, frustrated again. She ran into the bathroom to clean her fingers and strip herself of her outer layers, trying to gain some sort of comfort.

When she reentered her room, she was surprised to see that it was no longer in disarray. The pillow was fixed, the mud magically removed, and on her bedside table was a cup of tea with milk and honey, piping hot. Just made.

Since it had only been a few minutes, she knew this was the work of her good friend, Brownie.

She smiled, remembering how much their relationship had changed.

Brownie was a brownie who plagued her house with pranks and tricks for many years. During the first couple of months that he made his residence in her abode, it was apparent that someone had taken up shop where she lived.

She remembered the day in particular when the relationship changed. The day when she was making milk and honey sandwich bread for a picnic.

She grabbed a full pitcher of milk, poured out just the amount she needed, and put it on the counter before quickly remembering that her honey was downstairs. When she came back up, the cup was empty.

Baffled, she scratched her head and poured herself a new glass, convincing herself that she probably just forgot to pour the milk the first time around and only grabbed the cup.

Then she realized—of course—she had forgotten the flour and the yeast.

She went back downstairs, more cautiously now, for the flour and the yeast, and when she came back up, not only was the cup empty once more, but the honey had completely gone missing.

Now this wouldn’t do.

However, she had heard of this happening before.

“I must have a brownie,” she whispered to herself. “But I don’t think he knows what he’s in for.”

This was a special batch of honey made by the bumble fairies, enchanted for giggles and smiles, and she intended to bring it to the picnic as a gag and a mood enhancer.

She laughed. “The enchantments will make his presence known.”

Finally, after months of questioning, she put down the rest of the ingredients to wander about her cottage, perking up her pointed ears, listening for any small sounds of stifled laughter.

She heard tiny giggles coming from a mouse hole in her room, explaining where many of her fresh flowers and jewelry had gone. Peeking in, she saw a bewildered brownie giggling despite himself.

“You naughty witch girl! How dare you curse me just for trying to have a little midday snack?” he mumbled through bouts of laughter.

“Oh, I haven’t tried to do anything to you! I didn’t even know I had a roommate!”

The brownie stuck out his tongue, but the very act made him burst into more giggles.

“Well, well, well. Look what a mess this is.” She giggled as well. She couldn’t help herself, as the sight of the tiny thing wiggling around, giggling, made the giggles infect her too.

Before long, they were both on the floor, chortling and laughing.

“Now, let me take this enchantment from you.”

Even after it was removed, the brownie continued to smile.

“All right, fine. You caught me. And catching a brownie means you now get to have somebody around the house to help you out, instead of my pestering pranks. It took you long enough to notice! Besides, that’s some of the best honey I’ve ever had. I’ve never heard of honey that makes you giggle.”

“Well, there’s plenty more where that came from. Truce?”

“Truce.”

And now she knew she had a housemate. One who was sweet enough to fix a muddy pillow and bring some tea, without making a fanfare or a show… but who would also happily share in laughter, if that’s what the moment called for.

Recipe:

Milk and Honey Sandwich Bread

(Inspired by The First Bread)

Total Time: ~4 hours
Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly
Category: Golden Grains – Breads and Bakes

🥗 Dietary Information
✅ Vegetarian
✅ Easily Dairy-Free (with oil instead of butter)
❌ Not Gluten-Free
❌ Contains Yeast

Ingredients

🍞 3 cups all-purpose flour – A steady foundation for nourishment and simplicity
🧂 1½ tsp salt – For protection, balance, and enhancing all flavors
🍯 1 tbsp honey – Stirred into the milk for sweetness, abundance, and joy
✨ 1½ tsp active dry yeast – For transformation and the spark of new life
🥛 1½ cups warm milk – Warmth, nurturing, and emotional comfort
🧈 1 tbsp butter (or oil) – For richness and golden softness
🌟 Optional: Extra honey mixed into the melted butter for brushing before/after baking

Instructions

1. Warm the Milk & Honey
   Gently heat the milk until warm (not hot), then stir in 1 tbsp honey. Let it cool slightly if needed. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the surface and let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.

3. Combine and Stir
   Slowly pour the warm milk and honey mixture into the flour, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.

4. First Rise (2 hrs)
   Cover with a towel and set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled in size.

5. Shape the Loaf
   Using two forks or a spoon, fold the dough over itself a few times. Then shape and transfer to a buttered loaf pan.

6. Second Rise (1 hr)
   Let rise again, covered, until puffy.

7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes
   The top should be golden brown, and the loaf fragrant. Brush with honey butter either before baking (for a richer crust) or after baking (for a glossy, sweet finish).

8. Cool and Slice
   Let it rest before slicing. Serve warm or toasted.

✨ Best Enjoyed…

• As a sandwich bread with peanut butter, jam, or seasonal spreads
• With warm milk or tea on a spring morning
• After a ritual of renewal, journaling, or gentle movement
• With a drizzle of honey for comfort and sweetness