Happiness from the Kitchen: Brownies!

Did someone mention chocolate? It really doesn't matter who you are, if there is an element of being a human being within you, at one time or another you have craved chocolate. This is not a bad thing. Matter-of-fact, it is a good thing. It means you're still alive and you mind is working normally.

Everyone has, at one time or another, enjoyed the absolute deliciousness of a brownie. Most of these times it was more than one brownie and if you were to be absolutely honest, probably more than once it was a whole pan of brownies. The damn things are as addictive as heroin!

It is rather unfortunate that most people have only added inches to their waistline by eating brownies from one of America's great serial killers, such as Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines or the other purveyors of packaged death. These are not brownies. These are not even chocolate. These are flavored chemicals you mix with water and then proceed to poison yourself and your kids. If you prefer this crap, this recipe is not for you, so feel free to go to some other section on this site which will give you your fill of processed poison. On the other hand, if you want real chocolate, real flavor, real taste and pure yumminess, make a batch or two of these!

With these brownies we do like to add a festive frosting. It is not necessary but it is flavorful fun. Part of this festive frosting is chocolate covered sunflower seeds. You can find these at most markets and usually at party stores. They will come in various colors depending on the time of the year. So, have fun and be happy with some homemade brownies!

Ingredients to make Brownies (makes one 9-inch pan of brownies):

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1 Tbs. vanilla
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder

Steps:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
2. Into a mixer add the butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined.
4. In a large bowl whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt and baking powder.
5. Add the dry ingredients into the mixer and beat until combined (the color will be much darker than other brownies due to the amount of cocoa).
6. Spoon into the prepared pan, even out and place in the oven.
7. Bake for 35 minutes, or until done.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a rack (brownies must be totally cool to add the festive frosting).

Ingredients for the Festive Frosting:

• 16 oz. powdered sugar (one box)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 Tbs. vanilla
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups chocolate coated sunflower seeds (vibrant colors)

Steps:

1. Into a mixer add all the ingredients, except the chocolate coated sunflower seeds, and beat until smooth.
2. Evenly spread the Festive Frosting over the cooled brownies and then let sit 10 minutes.
3. Sprinkle the chocolate coated sunflower seeds over the Festive Frosting and gently pat down into the topping.
4. Place in the refrigerator and chill 20 minutes before cutting, eating and enjoying!

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