Recipe Round-Up: Triple Chocolate Brownies

When the Friday of a holiday weekend is combined with a recipe that calls for copious amounts of chocolate, wonderful things happen.

When you combine a holiday weekend and triple chocolate brownies with a trip to Oklahoma, I'm pretty sure I have discovered utopia and I don't ever want to leave. No not ever.

Please give me a moment as I bask in my utopia-ness...

Thank you.

Now, these brownies are a new recipe for me. I made them for my dear friends who just had one of the world's cutest babies and brought coffee ice cream to serve with it.

Um, yes please.

And I'm pretty darn sure these brownies could bring world peace. I am thinking I will send a batch with Hillary the next time she decides to go to Iran. I figure it is the least I can do to make sure we avoid nuclear disaster. And no dictator worth his salt is going to pass up a brownie!

So, let's mix these suckers up, shall we? I would hate for your holiday weekend to continue without them or for world peace to come to screeching halt because of my lack of promptness.

Here is what you need for the brownies:

Milk, Flour, Sugar, Cocoa, Baking powder, Baking soda, Butter, Eggs, Vanilla, Salt and Chocolate chips (I used E. Guittard Milk Chocolate Wafers, but you can use any kind of chocolate you want!)

In a saucepan, combine sugar...

butter...

cocoa...

Side Note: Chocolate count #1

And put it on the stove to melt.

Melt over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Pour it into a mixing bowl and get ready for magic to happen.

Side note: If the butter is not fully incorporated with the sugar, do not panic! Once you begin adding ingredients, it will get mixed in.

Okay, add two of these.

And stir a little...

Add a little vanilla, and stir a little more.

Now it's time for the dry ingredients. Add a bit of salt...

Flour...

Baking powder...

Side note: Pay no attention to the fact that my baking powder is glowing. The sunlight hit my metal measuring spoon and nearly blinded me. Don't worry, I'm okay.

And his fiercest competitor, baking soda.

Now, start to mix slowly...

And add the milk as you go.

And there you have it!

Side note: I could live on batter alone. I am not kidding.

But wait, we're not done! Add in your chocolate chips. You decide how much you want.

Side note: Chocolate count #2

Doesn't the world already seem more peaceful?

Now, grab a 9x13 pan and pour. I used two 8x8 pans so I could take one to my friends and keep one for myself.

What's that? Oh yes, the STUPID INTERNATIONAL FITNESS CHALLENGE OF DEATH totally approves of me having my own pan of brownies. Check the rules if you don't believe me.

Now, pop them in the oven for 20 minutes and prepare for your house to smell AMAZING.

I would like to introduce you to my hot date for the evening.

Okay, let this cool and get crackin' on the icing.

Start with a small saucepan and add unsweetened chocolate (I used both cocoa powder and a 1 ounce square because I had both in my pantry) and a few tablespoons of shortening and put on stove.

Side note: Chocolate count #3

Let it melt and remove from heat.

Next up, add salt, vanilla and powdered sugar.

And mix in milk to even it out.

And when you have done all of that, you will have the BEST FROSTING IN THE WORLD.

IN THE WORLD, people.

Go ahead, take a taste. Or four.

Put a big dollop on your brownies and grab your offset spatula or knife and go to town.

Hurry up, your taste buds are screaming at you.

See? One for you, one for me. I love how that works.

What's the big deal? World peace isn't that hard.

Here is the recipe for you:

For Brownies:

1 1/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup milk

1 cup chocolate chips (or however much you want!)

Optional: walnuts or pecans

For Frosting:

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

3 Tbsp shortening

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup milk (or more if you want frosting to be thinner)

Directions: Grease 9x13-inch pan (or two 8x8-inch pans) and preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan, heat sugar, butter and cocoa powder over medium heat until butter melts, stirring constantly. Pour into mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and stir until combined. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and add to wet ingredients. Stir while adding milk slowly. Stir until well combined. Add chocolate chips and nuts

Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool.

For Frosting: In a small saucepan, melt unsweetened chocolate and shortening over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, salt and powdered sugar. Slowly pour in milk and stir until smooth consistency and glossy. Add more milk if needed. Frost cooled brownies and eat triumphantly!

COMING UP: Trivia Question-o-Fun with a great prize from the fabulous state of OKLAHOMA! Questions will be posted soon!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, my friends!!