CHOCOLATE Friday ~ Basic Fudge Brownies

It's Friday again!  Let's have a little chocolate to celebrate, OK?  OK.  Don't forget to go grab a chocolate post (or comment with a link to your fave chocolate recipe if you're not a blogger) and come here to link it up at the bottom!  Chocolate is meant to be shared, especially with me.  :)

I needed to make some brownies to use in another recipe I'll be making and realized that I did not have a *basic* brownie recipe listed here.  Now the Sand Art Brownies are my favorite, but sometimes you need a plain, no-nonsense brownie.  These brownies are simple, chocolatey, and perfect for frosting or using in another recipe.  They are still yummy plain of course, just not to the level of decadence that I have grown to love in an unfrosted brownie.  I found the recipe in a BHG potluck edition from 2003 and I'll even give you one of the frosting recipes though I did not use it.

You know it'll be good when it starts with melted butter and chocolate!

A nice smooth top - perfect for adding your favorite frosting!

Chocolatey goodness.

Basic Fudge Brownies

1/2 cup butter (used organic)
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, cut up
1 cup granulated sugar (used organic~evaporated cane juice)
2 eggs, slightly beaten (used free-range)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup all-purpose flour (used unbleached)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease an 8x8 baking pan and set aside.  In medium pan, melt the butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring often.  Remove from heat.

Transfer melted chocolate/butter to medium mixing bowl.  Stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.  Using wooden spoon, lightly beat until combined.  Stir in flour.  Spread batter in prepared pan.

Bake in oven for 30 minutes.  Cool in pan on wire rack.  If desired, frost when cool and cut into squares.

Peanut Butter Frosting
In medium bowl, beat 1/4 cup peanut butter with electric mixer on low until fluffy.  Gradually add 1 cup powdered sugar, beating well.  beat in 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Gradually beat in additional 1/2 cup powdered sugar until it reaches spreading consistency.  Optional: sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

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Are you wondering yet what I'm using these brownies for since I didn't frost them?  Well, these lovely brownies will be an important ingredient in a special dessert I'm making for our wedding anniversary!  I'll post it next Friday.  What's your favorite brownie recipe?

Now go find some chocolate and bring it back here (I'm so bossy)!  You can link up a new or old chocolate post and non-bloggers can leave some chocolate recipes or links in the comments!  Let's feed the blogosphere a little chocolate!

Have a chocolatey day friends!