Best Brownies

I have been using this recipe for several years and I frequently get asked for the recipe.  I found it on AllRecipes.com and like to make my own variations to the basic recipe - see my notes below - Enjoy! 

Photo courtesy of AllRecipes.com

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.

2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

4. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

Notes: I have made these brownies using several variations and they have always turned out!  Here are some of them.  For double chocolate brownies add a cup of chocolate chips to the batter.  Replace half the flour with rice flour.  Or use whole grain flours (Wheat, Spelt, Kamut...) instead of white flour.  Golden Syrup may be used instead of honey in the frosting.  I like to use 1/2 cup white and 1/2 cup brown sugar.  Double the recipe and bake it in a 9" X 13" pan for 30-35 minutes do not over bake. 

Easy Grape Salad

This salad is so good!  I sampled it at a Relief Society activity (last year) and of course had to have the recipe!  I found out the salad was made by my friend Lynn H. - Thank you!

1 lb. seedless green grapes
1 lb. seedless red grapes
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 (6 ounce) package slivered almonds
*This makes 8 servings

Wash grapes in a colander and remove all the stems. Place them in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, stir together cream cheese and marshmallow creme until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture over the grapes. Using a rubber spatula, fold the mixture into the grapes until well coated. Fold in almonds.

This salad can be served immediately, or covered and refrigerated for 1 hour to set, and allow flavors to blend.