mad men brownies

I don't know what it was about this weekend, but it left me wanting chocolate. Brownies specifically. Maybe it was the uber grey weather. Or maybe it was just the itch to make something simple...and with frosting. Either way my house is slowly filling with the unmistakeable scent of chocolatey goodness as I type. I've deemed these Mad Men Brownies only because of their simplicity. I imagine this recipe would be something you could find in a dusty old Betty Crocker cookbook. Also, I'll be watching the show tonight and the theme seemed fitting. Now if I could only find an apron to match my lovely housedress...


mad men brownies
yields approximately 16 brownies

1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 white flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan. Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla in a medium sized bowl. Add eggs and beat well with spoon.  Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, beating until well blended. Stir in nuts if desired. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Spread frosting evenly on top. Cut into squares and enjoy!

frosting
3 tbls butter, softened
3 tbls cocoa
1 tbl light corn syrup or honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 tbls milk


Beat butter, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla in a small bowl until well blended. Add powdered sugar and milk; beat until smooth. Makes about 1 cup of frosting.