Brownies

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Toast the pecans (or nut of choice) in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, or until fragrant.
2. Place the chocolate and butter in a large bowl over a double-boiler; heat and stir and then remove from the double-boiler after the butter is melted.
3. Whisk the sugar into the chocolate mixture, then the eggs. Stir in the flour and nuts.
4. Spread into a greased 13×9 pan (or for half a batch, use a 9×9 pan).
5. Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. If you make half a batch, it only takes about 20 minutes. When done, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly in the pan.
6. See my TastyKitchen recipe box for my Icing for Brownies recipe. Pour the icing onto the brownies when they are still slightly warm and add extra nuts if desired. Instead of the icing, you can use a caramel topping like the kind used for ice cream.