mint brownies

BROWNIES
1 3/4 stick butter
3/4 C cocoa
2 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 C flour
In a saucepan on low heat, melt butter and cocoa.  Remove from heat.  Add sugar beating well.  Add eggs one at a time beating well after each.  Stir in flour, baking powder, and vanilla.  Pour in greased 13x9" pan.  Bake at 350° 25 min. Suggestions for making these w/o mint frosting:  add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp orange zest or swirl in peanut butter... or leave alone. (:

Cool, then top with:

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1/2 C butter

1/4 C shortening

3/4 tsp peppermint extract

3 C powdered sugar

2 tsp milk

Cream fats, add peppermint.  Add sugar one cup at a time.  Add green coloring if desired and a tsp of milk at a time beating on high until you get the right texture, light and fluffy.  Keep damp cloth over it and store in the fridge up to 2 weeks, rewhipping before use.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 C cream

Microwave cream in small bowl until it begins to boil.  Remove from microwave and add chocolate chips.  Slowly stir until chocolate melts.  Ensure the glaze isn't too hot and spread over brownies.