ULTIMATE BROWNIES ..... Personalize these brownies to honor a special accomplishment.

Ultimate Brownies

This recipe is from the 7/07 issue of Better Homes & Gardens and is a keeper!

Ingredients:

3 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

(Stir ins)

1 cup dark chocolate pieces

1/2 cup chopped nuts (Optional)

1 recipe chocolate drizzle (optional)

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Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coarsely chop unsweetened chocolate. In saucepan melt butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool.

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Line 8x8x2 inch baking pan with foil. Spray non stick cooking spray, set aside. Stir sugar into melted chocolate mixture until sugar is dissolved. Add eggs one at a time, beating with wooden spoon just until combined. Stir in vanilla.

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In bowl stir together flour and baking soda. Add stir ins (listed below). Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture; stir just until combined. Stir in dark chocolate pieces and nuts. Spread batter in baking pan.

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Bake 35 minutes or until edges are set and begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool in the pan on wire rack. Spoon Chocolate Drizzle across top. Cut into bars. Makes 16 brownies.

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Sweet Stir-ins:

Add 1/2 cup dried fruit soaked in sparkling wine for 30 minutes, drained, and chopped; or 3/4 cup candy coated chocolate pieces to batter.

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Spice stir-ins:

Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon or ground ancho chili powder; 2 teaspoon grated orange peel; or 1 Tablespoon espresso powder to flour mixture.

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Chocolate Drizzle:

In bowl stir together 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 teaspoon milk. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time until icing is drizzling consistency.