All Hallows Eve

A Frightfully Good Treat to Share with You

An Ever Ready  Favorite- Chocolate Brownie Special 

Cook's notes:. This recipe comes from Taste of Home Magazine. It's so easy to put together using only one bowl for preparation. Some optional add ins include: nuts, chocolate chips, sprinkles and Kahlua or Amaretto. I added green food color to the coconut for grass and purple sprinkles to give the brownies a more festive look. Besides sprinkles make everything so much better. Top brownies with a candy pumpkin.
Brownie Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. espresso powder
• 1/3 cup chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup mini or regular semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
• Optional: 1 TB. Kahlua or Amaretto

Brownie Directions:

• Line a 8 x 8 glass pan with foil that has been greased. Make sure edges of foil extend over the sides. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl beat sugar, eggs and vanilla for 3-5 minutes to increase the volume. Beat in melted butter with Kahlua or Amaretto if using, mix well.
• Combine the flour, salt, cocoa espresso powder and baking powder. Add to butter/egg mixture and mix well
• Fold in nuts and chips and pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of center clean.
• Cool brownies in pan for 10 minutes, then use foil edges to lift out brownies out and place foiled brownies on a wire rack to cool. 

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips 
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 TB. Kahlua or Amaretto

Frosting Directions:

• In a saucepan add milk, sugar, butter and chips.
• Over medium heat bring to a boil stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes
• Remove pan from stove, stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Use a mixer and beat until smooth, add more milk if necessary for correct consistency. 
• Add in Kahlua or Amaretto.