Favorite Homemade Frosted Brownies

Frosted Brownies Recipe

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
2. Grease a 15x10x1-inch or 9x13x2-inch baking pan and set aside.
3. Stir together flour, sugar baking soda and salt until combined.
4. Combine butter, water and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan, stir constantly until boiling. Remove from heat.
5. Add the cocoa mixture to the flour mixture, beating with an electric mixer until combined.
6. Combine eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and beat for one minute.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
8. Bake brownies for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
9. Pour the warm chocolate buttermilk frosting (see recipe below) over the warm brownies and spread evenly.
10. Cool pan on a wire rack.
11. Wrap tightly and refrigerate your delicious brownies up to three days - if they last that long!

Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a saucepan, combine the butter cocoa powder and buttermilk and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth.

Fudgy Frosted Brownies Recipe

Brownies:

• 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, but into small pieces
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups pecans or walnuts, light toasted and coarsely chopped

Fudgy Chocolate Frosting:

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk, or more if needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Position an oven rack in the middle of the oben and preheat oven to 350F degrees.
2. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and set aside.
3. In a large stainless-steel bowl, combine 8 ounces chopped chocolate with 1/2 cup butter and set the bowl in a shallow saucepan containing about 1 inch of barely simmering water. Stir the chocolate mixture until smooth and melted.
4. Remove the bowl from the heat and set aside to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
5. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and1/2 teaspoon salt to the cooled chocolate mixture and mix until well blended.
6. Gradually add the flour and mix until just incorporated.
7. Stir in the toasted and chopped nuts.
8. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
9. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out slightly moist with a few crumbs attached.
10. Remove from oven and cool pan completely on a wire rack.
11. Prepare the Fudgy Chocolate Frosting:
    In a large stainless-steel bowl, combine 4 ounces chocolate with 6 tablespoons butter and set the bowl in a shallow saucepan containing about 1 inch of barely simmering water. Stir the chocolate mixture until melted and smooth.
12. Remove the bowl from the heat and set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.
13. Add 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon salt to the cooled chocolate mixture and beat on medium speed until smooth.
14. Add the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup at-a-time, and continue beating on medium speed until frosting consistency is smooth and spreadable.
15. Add milk, 1 teaspoon at-a-time, if necessary to achieve spreadable consistency. Do not let frosting get too thin.
16. Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies, smoothing on top with a frosting spatula.
17. Cut brownies into desired size and shape.
18. Wrap tightly and store brownies for up to two days at room temperature - if they last that long!