Chocolate Fudge Brownies

So, my biggest fear about this blog is that I am going to post too many not incredibly healthy recipes and get kicked off. But, hey, everyone needs a special treat every once and awhile, right? For CJs birthday he decided he wanted real fudgy brownies instead of a cake, so I found this recipe and tried it out. It was a big hit, and I am sure they will be made again in the future. Even Ches liked them so much he was asking for them for breakfast. So, when you are in need of a special chocolate treat...make these!
p.s. we didn't have walnuts so I put in chocolate chips instead, then I frosted them. I also baked them for the minimum time.



Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Estimated Times: Preparation - 15 min | Cooking - 15 min | Yields - 24 brownies (2 dozen)

Ingredients
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2 tablespoons water
4 oz. Unsweetened Chocolate Baking Bars, broken into pieces
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

MICROWAVE sugar, butter and water in a large microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 4 to 5 minutes or until mixture bubbles, stirring once. Remove from heat. Add baking bars; stir until melted.

STIR in eggs one at a time until incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir well. Stir in nuts. Pour into prepared baking pan.

BAKE for 15 to 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

FOR SAUCEPAN METHOD:
HEAT sugar, butter and water in a medium saucepan just to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add baking bars; stir until melted. Proceed as above.

CREAM CHEESE BROWNIE VARIATION:
PREPARE brownie batter; do not pour into pan. Beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese, ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Beat in 1 egg. Pour brownie batter into pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture over top; swirl with spoon. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIE VARIATION:
PREPARE brownie batter without nuts; do not pour into pan. Combine ½ cup peanut butter, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100 %) power for 45 seconds; stir until smooth. Pour brownie batter into pan. Spoon peanut butter mixture over top; swirl with spoon. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIE VARIATION:
PREPARE brownie batter without nuts; bake as directed. While still hot, sprinkle with 1½ cups miniature marshmallows, 1/3 cup chopped nuts and ¾ cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed and morsels are shiny.