Brownies

Brownies make me happy; very, very happy. Why, you wonder? Brownies are loaded with chocolate. Anyone who knows me understands my complete and utter chocolate devotion. Betty Crapper NEEDS daily doses of chocolate.

There's something about the chewy, gooey goodness of a brownie that I love. Brownies are so chocolaty, I do not have to eat ten of them to satisfy a chocolate craving. A couple of squares for me and the rest for you. Betty Crapper loves giving away her baked goodies. It's a must for my lack of self-control, and girlish figure. 

Anyone with an oven can make brownies. No fancy equipment required. If you have the ingredients you are good to go. Betty Crapper says so!

I didn't want to bother with a double boiler set up so I melted my chocolate and butter over very low heat. Brownies are very forgiving. 

Who am I kidding? Betty Crapper's bowl was dirty and needed washing. I was in a hurry and wanted to get this party started. Chocolate was calling my name.

Once the chocolate melts, allow it to cool and then mix in the brown sugar, followed by the eggs.

Sift in your dry ingredients and stir until barely combined. You should still see lots of white.

Stir in your chips and nuts. By now Betty Crapper's batter has been taste tested quite a few times. I can't resist. It's the chocolate demons calling my name.

Pour your batter into your buttered and floured pan. Bake. Super easy. No box mix required. When the brownies are cool, cut them up and reap your rewards.

Brownies

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (one Ghirardelli semi-sweet bar)

1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), cut into pieces

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour an 8X8 pan. In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over very low heat. (Best to use a double boiler) Stir frequently until smooth. Remove from heat and pour into large bowl. Cool slightly. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Add eggs and mix. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift dry ingredients into large bowl. Mix until barely combined. Stir in chips and nuts. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool. Remove from pan and cut into squares.

Tips

• Melt your chocolate in a large mixing bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Now you have one less thing to wash!
• Don't hurry when melting chocolate. Use very low heat and stir frequently.
• Do not over mix your brownies. Stop stirring the mixture before all the flour has disappeared. You still have to add chips and nuts.

How do you satisfy your chocolate cravings? Shhhh, is that chocolate calling my name ...