Brownies: A Delectable Thank You Gift

Late yesterday evening, my three kids and I sat around the dinner table doing our usual routine of going over our best and worst events during the day, when all of a sudden we heard a snow blower start up.  Now, this IS Minnesota and hearing the "RRRR, RRRR, RRRR" of a snow blower is not unusual.  What caught our attention was how close it was in proximity to where we were sitting!  After all of us immediately abandoned our spots, we peeked out the front window to see our neighbor, Mr. Nelson, snow blowing our drive way for us.  I love it that our neighbors are exactly that - in both definition and spirit . . . what a guy!! 

So - of course, our first question after "WHO IS THAT???", was "What should we make him?" - of course, the answer was brownies!  This is a favorite among everyone in our house - and I picked up this recipe several years ago after watching Picabo Street make these on The Martha Stewart show.  I have found this to be incredibly moist and chocolatey. 

If you are looking for an amazingly sweet & rich dessert to enjoy for yourselves, try this.  Or - why not bring a plate of brownies over to your neighbor?  Whatever you do, I challenge you to Enjoy Life with a Side of Brownies :-) 


Double Chocolate Brownies

6T unsalted butter
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 C unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
3/4 C all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 C sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8" square dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2" overhang on 2 sides.  Coat with cooking spray.
2. Melt butter, chocolate and cocoa in a heatproof bowl (I use a double boiler).  Remove from heat.  Stir until smooth.  Let cool slightly.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder & salt in a medium bowl; set aside.  Put eggs, sugar and vanilla into an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.  Beat until pale (about 4 minutes).  Beat in chocolate mixture.  Add flour mixture - beat until combined.
4. Pour in pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.  Do not overbake.  Let cool for 15 minutes.  Lift out of pan and transfer to a wire rack.  Let cool completely.

Carina