World's Chocolatiest Brownies

World's Chocolatiest Brownies.... I needed to bake something for our church annual youth group camp. So, I decide to bake some brownies. These brownies are from my collection of tried and true recipes. It actually has a long story that goes with it. I actually got this recipe from a cookbook in our local library when I was in High School. When I was tired of studying or waiting to be picked up, I would look at cookbooks to pass the time( I get lost in cookbooks!). I always copied down recipes...some I tried, some I kept to try later. Well, this recipe I kept and never tried until I got married! So , I am glad I kept it! This recipe has got to be my favorite recipe for brownies.They are very fudgy/chewy and not cake-like. I made a few additions to it but kept the basic recipe the same. I have tried other recipes for brownies ...but this wins the gold medal (in our house) for being the best. Chocolatiest Brownies ever....it is not for the timid! Hope you enjoy...

Note:~The original recipe has you dip the brownies into melted chocolate and sprinkle with nuts. I never do . But I am sure you can! So I will post this information as well if you would like to do that.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 TBS water
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt (I usually just put a pinch)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

*variation

you can also add some raspberry extract, orange peel/extract, Irish cream, instant coffee, Kahlua, nuts, etc.

**you can easily double the recipe which I did this time around. I used an 11x 17 pan for double the recipe. I added 1 TBS orange peel/2 tsp orange extract and 5-6TBS Irish cream to this recipe.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 deg. F

1. In a medium bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

2. In saucepan, over medium heat, bring sugar, butter and water to boil. Remove from heat.

3. Stir in 1 cup chips and vanilla or any flavoring you like or both! Stir till smooth. Cool 5 minutes.

4. Beat in eggs 1 at a time until well mixed.

5. Add flour mixture and combine.

6. Add 1 cup (I reserve a handful so I can sprinkle on top...you don't have to) chips and combine quickly so as not to completely melt the chips ( if they do ...it is OK they still come out great!).

7. Pour into a greased, parchment lined 8x8 square pan. Since I doubled it, I used an 11 x 17 pan.

8. Bake in a preheated oven set at 32 deg F. for 35 minutes. (if doubling it let bake for an addition 3-5 minutes). Cool completely. I usually freeze it for a few minutes (not completely, just cuts easier).

9. I like to cut them in smaller pieces as well...as they can be quite rich.

If you would like to dip them in chocolate the instructions are as follows:

Freeze brownies 30 -40 minutes cut into small squares.

Chop pecans finely to equal 1/2 cup. Set aside.

Melt 2 cups chocolate chips and 2 TBS shortening.

Dip brownies to cover completely. Sprinkle with nuts.