Fudgy Brownies

Fudgy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
compliments of Amanda Anderson

Fudgy Brownies:

1 c. butter

6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 c. chopped almonds or pecans (opt)

1 recipe chocolate-cream cheese frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and unsweetened chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool.

2. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan; set aside. Stir sugar into cooled chocolate mixture in pan. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating with a wooden spoon till just combined. Stir in the vanilla.

3. In a small mixing bowl, stir together flour and baking soda. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture; stir just until combined. If desired, stir in nuts. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

4. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. If desired, frost with chocolate-cream cheese frosting. Cut into bars.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:In a saucepan, melt 2 cups semisweet chocolate pieces over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool slightly. In a small bowl, stir together 1 1/2 8-oz. packages (12 oz.) softened cream cheese and 1 c. powdered sugar. Stir in melted chocolate until smooth.