Valentine Brownies

Instructions

1. Makes a 9″x9″ pan of brownies.
2. For best results, eggs should be at room temperature.
3. Melt butter over medium-low heat.
4. Add melted butter to sugar and mix thoroughly.
5. Add two eggs and mix until smooth.
6. Then add baking powder, salt and cocoa powder.
7. Mix thoroughly.
8. Add flour to mixture and, again, combine thoroughly.
9. Stir in vanilla.
10. Preheat oven to 350(F).
11. Prepare baking pan with non-stick foil or wax paper.
12. Pour batter into pan and spread.
13. Place baking pan and batter in the freezer for about ten minutes.
14. Then, bake for 20-25 minutes at 350(F).
15. ICING:
16. Melt butter and stir in cocoa powder until smooth.
17. Stir in two tablespoons milk or cream.
18. Mixture should be creamy-smooth.
19. Run whisk through powdered sugar to remove any large clumps or lumps.
20. Add chocolate mixture to powdered sugar and mix well.
21. Stir until mixture is smooth.
22. Add vanilla and pinch of salt.
23. Add another tablespoon of milk if needed for consistency.
24. Frosting should be smooth and silky.
25. To prepare brownies with icing, spread the icing on the brownies while the brownies are still slightly warm.
26. This will melt the topping, magically turning it into icing!
27. I dipped the brownies into the icing and let it cover the entire brownie.
28. Before the icing sets up, sprinkle pecan pieces (or any chopped nut or candy) on top.
29. I sprinkled tiny red balls and white iridescent candies over the brownies.
30. Allow to rest and cut into bite sized pieces.
31. You can also use cookie cutters to cut the brownies into fun shapes ( I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to make the Valentine Brownies).
32. To prepare brownies with frosting, wait until the brownies have cooled to room temperature before frosting.
33. Sprinkle with nuts or candies, if desired.