Cocoa Brownies

I broke my promise already see how resolutions are! I knew I should have stuck to lose 10 pounds or walk more or maybe even, no never mind. So here it is my second day of recipes in the new year and I already am trying to fatten my followers up.

Gooey, Decadent, Uber Chocolatey, Rich, or just plain WOW. My friends have many names for these fudge brownies and all could be considered pretty accurate. I created these for a chocoholic I know very well. She even thinks they re nearly over the top but still not quit there yet. Maybe if I dipped them in dark chocolate after they were done then her craving for the dark stuff would be fulfilled...probably not though. I like them in one inch pieces right from the freezer. I have included some ideas for flavorings, additions and frosting though these need none of them. They are just ideas I have tried while perfecting this recipe. I like to add whatever filling and then carry that over to a topping so If I put walnuts in the brownie I will sprinkle toasted walnuts on top of whatever the frosting (cream cheese is my favorite).

Let me know if these bad boys work for your chocolate craving but do not say I did not warn you that they are rich beyond rich.

4 Large Eggs

1 C Granulated sugar

1 C Brown sugar

8 OZ Melted butter

1.25 C Cocoa Powder (favorite brand)

½ Tbsp Vanilla or Mint extract (for mint brownies)

½ C Flour

½ Tsp Salt

¼ C nuts for (whatever flavor brownie)

Mix sugars, cocoa and melted butter over low heat until smooth and incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly.

Place flour and salt in another bowl and mix to combine. Beat eggs and vanilla into cocoa mixture until smooth then add flour and salt mix and stir to combine. Do not over mix. Fold in nuts if using. Place in an 8 x 8 well greased and sugared pan.

Bake 325 for approx. 30 minutes until set.

Glazes/Frostings and fillings

Cream Cheese (walnut)

Chocolate mint (mint extract) top with crushed Andes mints

German Chocolate (pecans)

Peanut Butter frosting (Peanuts)

Chocolate (crushed peanut brittle)

Chocolate (crushed day old cookies of some kind)

White Chocolate (white chocolate chunk and macadamia)

Butter pecan (pecans or broken pralines)