Best Brownies Ever

There are a few recipes that my family loves and that we prepare regularly. Unfortunately, I keep misplacing the recipes. The similar recipes from cookbooks and the internet are not as good and we are always disappointed. Last summer I made a recipe file on our computer. Problem solved. When our computer crashed last month, we lost many documents including our favorite recipes. To save future problems, I am posting some of these recipes on our blog.

Joe's Fudgy Brownies (from the back of Spartan Cocoa, 16 years ago)

1/2 Cup butter or margarine
1/2 Cup baking cocoa
1 Cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 Cup flour
1/2 Cup chopped nuts (we use pecans or walnuts)

Grease 8 x 8" pan. Melt butter in pan. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa. Beat until smooth. Add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Stir in vanilla and flour. Do NOT overbeat. Fold in nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. If feeling really indulgent frost with Karen's Fudgy Frosting.

Fabulous Fudge Frosting

This Fudge Frosting is the best I have ever made. It is very, very rich. The kids regularly request it on their birthday cakes or on brownies. YUM!

Karen's Fudgy Frosting (from the back of Spartan Cocoa about 16 years ago)

1/3 Cup Butter
1/3 Cup Baking Cocoa
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk

Melt butter. Remove from heat and add cocoa. Stir until well blended. Add vanilla, powdered sugar and milk. Stir until smooth. Frosting with thicken quickly, so spread immediately. Frosts two 8" or 9" round cake pans.