Homemade Brownies

One of the staple dessert recipes that we take for granted is brownies. Especially once you try to find the perfect recipe that is 'chocolatey' enough to help satisfy that craving for the quick, out-of-the-box brownie mixes from back home. I am happy to have found a homemade brownie recipe that is rich, 'chocolatey', gooey with a touch of crispy around the edges, just the way we like them.

Ingredients

12 tbsp. cocoa
4 tbsp. butter
*These ingredients substitute for 4 squares of unsweetened baking chocolate so if you are fortunate to have the baking chocolate you can use it in place of these ingredients.
3/4 cup butter or margarine (if using salted butter, omit the tsp. of salt)
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
OPTIONAL: 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

Microwave all butter/margarine until melted. Remove from microwave and stir in cocoa and mix until completely dissolved in butter. Stir in sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add flour and nuts at this time; stir until well blended. Spread into greased foil-lined 13x9-inch baking pan.
Bake at 350F (I usually bake these between 160-170C) for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool in pan. When cool, lift out of pan onto cutting board. Cut into squares. Makes approximately 24 servings, 1 square each.

Tip: If you prefer cake-like brownies: Prepare as directed, stirring in 1/2 cup milk with the eggs and vanilla and increasing the flour to 1-1/2 cups.