Marcia's Best Brownies

Baking.
For me it's an addiction, a comfort, a return to childhood. A going home.

Is it the food that I love? Or the memories attached to it?

Here's a recipe that's been part of a number of family gatherings, thanks to my sister Marcia. Always up for a good time and good food, Marcia is famous for coming through with delicious desserts.

This is one of our favorites.

Here's Marcia, last weekend, in what she refers to as her favorite blouse. 
Do we still call them blouses?

The notation on Marcia's recipe is "Frost with Creamy Chocolate Frosting, if desired".

This is a super-delicious fudgy, cocoa-y, mouthful of lusciousness. Frosting is superfluous. Shakespeare said it best:

Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, 

To guard a title that was rich before, 

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, 

To throw a perfume on the violet, 

To smooth the ice, or add another hue 

Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light 

To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, 

Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

William Shakespeare, from "King John"

Marcia's Best Brownies

1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. melted margarine or butter
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 c. unsifted flour
2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Blend oil, melted butter, sugar and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. 

After the last egg has been added

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. 

Ahhh, the aroma of that wonderful cocoa

Gradually add to the egg mixture. Spread into a greased and floured 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes or until brownie batter pulls away from sides of pan. Cool in pan.

Frost with Creamy Brownie Frosting if desired.




Creamy Brownie Frosting

3 TB butter or margarine, softened
3 TB cocoa
1 TB light corn syrup or honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. confectioner's sugar
1 to 2 TB milk

Cream butter or margarine, cocoa, corn syrup or honey and vanilla in small mixing bowl. Add confectioner's sugar and milk, beat to spreading consistency. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Cut into squares.