Fudgy Saucepan Brownies

These brownies are so quick and easy to make.  There is no need for a box mix anymore.

1 cup butter

3/4 cup cocoa

2 1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 1/4 cup flour

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350.  Grease a 9 x 13 pan.  In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter; stir in cocoa until smooth.  Remove from heat, cool slightly.  Add sugar, vanilla and eggs.  Beat until thoroughly combined.  Mix together flour, salt and baking powder.  Stir into chocolate sauce.  Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.  Spread batter into pan.  Bake 30 minutes or until top is dry and brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.  Do not over-bake.  When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost. 

Brownie Frosting

3 TBS butter

2 TBS cocoa

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 TBS milk

1 tsp vanilla

Melt butter in a medium saucepan.  Stir in cocoa until dissolved.  Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.  Stir until smooth.  Add more milk if necessary to make soft spreading consistency.  Add more powdered sugar if too thin.

Kimberly