Picnic Brownies

I discovered this recipe during my first year of marriage when I was teaching myself to cook. It was my first attempt at making brownies from scratch. These are delicious served warm with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge sauce.

4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cups walnuts, pecans, or almonds, chopped

1+ cup(s) semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round pans. In the top of a double boiler, or in a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and butter. In a medium bowl, mix together sugar, vanilla, and salt; add to the melted chocolate mixture and blend well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour and mix well.

Divide the batter equally into the prepared pans. Spread evenly and sprinkle the top of each with the chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Bake for 25 minutes. Do not over bake. Allow to cool completely before cutting. With a long knife (one that is longer than the brownies are wide), cut the brownies by pressing the knife straight down through the brownies; cut into 8 pie-shaped pieces. Makes 16 brownies.

For a printable version of this recipe, go here.