Fabulous Brownies

Yields 24 brownies.

Ingredients:

8 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter, soft

5 eggs

2 1/2 cups white granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 teasponns vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Frosting (optional):

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

4 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup unsweetened powdered chocolate

3/4 - 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 375. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.

In medium-sized saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and butter. (Be careful not to burn the chocolate; if you burn it, start over.)

In large bowl, beat sugar, vanilla, and eggs (adding eggs one at a time) for about 5-8 minutes.

Add flour and salt. Beat just to combine. Add melted chocolate and butter. Beat just to combine.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Let cool for 20 minutes if frosting, or 10 if serving unfrosted and warm.

For frosting: Melt butter in microwave save dish. Add powdered chocolate and stir until mixture is smooth. In medium-sized bowl, beat cream cheese. Add chocolate and butter mixture. Beat again. Add powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Spread frosting on cooled brownies.

Tip: If frosting your brownies, I like to cut them into squares and then frost each one individually. I think this makes the frosting look nicer.