Recipe Rursday: Cate's Brownies with Peanut Butter Icing

Taken and eaten 11/1/09.

These brownies were originally planned for Chris' birthday, but since his parents brought a cake from nyc, I saved the recipe for a later date. My co-worker & friend Cate made these brownies for her kids on her last day of work and kindly shared one with me. They're so wonderfully sweet, I knew Chris would love them. The amount of butter in them is somewhat shocking...for me, but I don't bake all that often. So, I consider them special occasion brownies. Note: special occasions can be any day when you want really incredible brownies.

And without further ado, here is the recipe for Chris' b-day brownies, from Cate (who may have gotten it from her mom). Enjoy!

Cate's Brownies with Peanut Butter Icing
Suggestion: I split the icing recipe in half and it was the perfect amount.

• 4 Squares Baker's Unsweetened Baking Chocolate
• 3/4 (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine)
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

---- Preheat oven to 350. Line 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper. Butter the pan under and over the parchment paper. (Catherine: Recipe calls for lining pan with foil and greasing the foil, but I've always used parchment paper. Amy: I used foil and it was a big mess...should've listened to Catherine)

---- In a pan, melt the butter first, then melt the chocolate on top of the butter. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar and let mixture cool a little bit. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add flour (and optional nuts). Spread in prepared pan. (Amy: I used walnuts. Turned out great.)

---- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick is inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. Cool in pan on wire rack. Remove from pan and cut into squares.

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/2 cup butter (softened to room temperature) - (1/4 C)

1/2 cup peanut butter (1/4 C)

2 cups powdered sugar (1 C)

1/8 cup milk (splash of milk)

1 tsp vanilla (1/2 tsp.)

Cream the butter and peanut butter together. Add half of the powdered sugar and blend. Blend in milk and vanilla.Add remaining powdered sugar.Stir until smooth.

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