recipe box swap: grandma's brownies

Today is Recipe Box Swap day over at Randi's blog.  Her chosen theme this time was fun foods - anything sweet, salty, fried, etc.  I chose sweet and sinful.  These are the brownies I grew up eating.  I have fond memories of making these on Sunday afternoon  I'm not sure where the original recipe came from, so I guess this is almost as close as I get to a secret family recipe as it gets for me. So, I hope you enjoy!

Grandma's Chocolate Brownies

1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa, 4 eggs

Add each ingredient one at a time, beating well after each one.  Then add: 

1 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup chopped nuts (optional), 2 tsp. vanilla

Spread in a greased shallow pan.*

Bake 20-25 minutes at 350.  Then cover the brownies with a single layer of miniature marshmallows.  Return to oven for 3 minutes.  Cool for at least 1 hour and then frost.

Frosting:  1/2 cup butter (can use 1/4 c if you want), 1 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 cup canned milk

*To get the best brownie texture, I use the broiler pan from my oven.  You can use a 9x13 pan, but you will get a more cake-like texture.  For the best texture, use something a little larger (a jelly roll pan maybe - aren't they 15x10?), but not as big as a cookie sheet.

And, boy have they been coming in handy the last couple of days (in moderation of course - I've still been eating those grapefruits too) - Ned is trying to give up his nap, but not really ready for it yet which means he's a serious grump when he doesn't get his way, I'm really not liking having my early class three days a week - so many complications with it and the babysitting, and I'm dealing with a reoccuring minor health issue that is also oh so annoying!  Luckily, Ryan cut them into bite size pieces and took about half of them to work, otherwise I would have eaten the whole pan by myself by now!

Comments

[Judy]

Chocolate....Yum!!!!!!

[Cayenne]

Sinful is right! I'll have to try them out soon. =) Hope you feel better. At least it is finally February. The check book cover is darling. Thank you.

[Carolyn]

Oh man. My stomach was growling before I read your post. Now I want something sweet. I really have no self control when it comes to chocolate. :)

[Sandi Henderson]

Ahh hmm.. Not sure if I'm happy those look good or not. ? Oh well maybe in about 6 months I'll try a bite!

Sandi

[Missy]

I think this may be the answer to my Feb. Blues!

[Jenn : )]

Wow - those look soooo tasty! Thanks for sharing both the recipe and the memory with us.

I hope you're feeling better soon. Keep your chin up!

[Dove]

OOOhhhh......I'm so making these. Very, very soon. Here's my problem....I like to "neaten the edges". Do you know what I mean? I'll be in the pan ALL DAY LONG straightening up the edges, eating little strip after little strip of these amazing looking brownies. I'm guessing from your photos it will be TOTALLY worth it. :) Thanks for sharing today!

[Sue Wiscombe]

OH MY GOODNESS!! If you could see me now, you would be telling me to wipe the drool from my face! Those brownies look amazing! The new red mittens are adorable and if you figure out a way to make those boys stop fighting, call me immediately. Glad you are feeling better. Don't mess with depression, it is nasty stuff but it sounds like you are on the right track. You have met some great goals-way to go! Also I love the paint. Shawn and I just finished redoing our kitchen and I love it. I will post photos soon.

[Robin]

I posted a brownie recipe too. Mine are convenient. Yours sound decadent.

[Beth]

You have to have the grapefruit/chocolate balance to keep those endorphins up!

[heidi]

i think i must try these immediately if not sooner! yum!

[natasha]

OMG these look downright sinful!
YUM!

[Michele C]

Wow! I really needed this recipe last night! I might have to bake it up today! Thanks for sharing it. -- Michele

[Emily]

I made these yesterday. They turned out yummy:) Thanks.