Quick, Easy Brownies (Homemade, too!)

 

I was looking for a recipe for homemade brownies that would travel well so that I could send them in a care package to my stepdaughter, Aby, who is a freshman in college.  Whenever I bake anything she has a very clever habit of asking if it is homemade before she tries it.  This makes me feel obligated to avoid box mixes and make things from scratch.  I found the following recipe on a great blog, How to Cook Like Your Grandmother, and thought I would try it.  The brownies turned out moist and delicious.  The next batch I make will be sent to my stepdaughter, this batch will be eaten by husband, younger stepdaughter, and myself.  I did post a picture of them on Aby's facebook page, maybe this will inspire a trip home to see the family (but, probably not).

The original recipe recommends using parchment paper to line the pan, but I always use butter and flour or cocoa powder.  It is difficult to remove the whole batch from the pan at one time if you do this, but you can easily cut them and remove them for eating or shipping in care packages.

 

Here is the recipe:

1½ cups sugar
¾ cup flour
¾ cup cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
3 eggs
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used Toll-House)

Step 1:  Combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, eggs, butter and salt in a bowl and mix.

Step 2:  Add chips and mix.

Step 3:  Bake at 325 degress for about 25 minutes.  Use a cake tester, fork, or toothpick to check for doneness.  You should be able to remove it cleanly if they are done.  I used and 8 1/2 by 11 1/2 pan, but a 9 by 13 pan would work, too.

 

 Let brownies cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.  They will easily come out of the pan if you use the butter and cocoa powder trick.  They received a thumbs up from everyone in my family, and I think they will ship very well in Aby's care package.  Enjoy!