Today I've made Best Brownies, which I have been making since the 1970's, but have never shared the recipe on my blog before now. We can sit in front of my little waterfall, and enjoy some peace.
My neighbor gifted me with this stack-able tea for one set several years ago. Isn't it sweet?
This is one of my birdhouses that I have in my backyard.
I guess I have a thing for birdhouses!
My son, Mike, painted this picture and gave it to me for my February birthday. It has all the birds that visit my backyard, and represent family members. My granddaughter, Ella, asked Mike, "Where's Nana?" Mike said that I wasn't in it, and she thoughtfully said, "Oh... Nana is the branch". Wasn't that the sweetest?
I have the painting hanging in my living room, and I love it!
Yield: 16
Best Brownies
These truly are wonderful brownies, and are made with common pantry ingredients. I adapted the recipe to make in just one bowl, for easier cleanup.
Ingredients:
- For the Brownies:
- 1/2 cup oil or melted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional), but I like to put them on top of the frosting
- For the Frosting (if using)
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
- For the Brownies: Blend oil (or melted butter), sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, and beat well with a spoon. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt and mix until well blended. Stir in nuts, if using (or save for topping).
- Spread in a greased 9" square pan (an 8" pan works, too). Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Cool in pan. Frost if desired.
- For the Frosting: Cream butter, cocoa powder, corn syrup and vanilla in small mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar and milk; beat to spreading consistency. About 1 cup of frosting.
- Top with chopped nuts, if desired.
I am sharing this withe these lovely parties:
Kitty, I love your teapot for one and adorable bird houses. Your brownies look delicious too! What a beautiful painting...Mike is so talented and sweet Ella is wise beyond her years. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of your waterfall and beauty in your backyard. ♥
ReplyDeleteI like how you matched the dishes to the brownies. This is very like my own recipe for brownies from scratch, which I only pull out if there is not a mix in the house. Everyone prefers the mix. 🥴 You are the branch...that is sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your post this morning. I need to make those brownies asap!
ReplyDeleteBrownies are so delicious and always your setting makes them fabulous. The bird houses are so sweet. I love bird houses. What a lovely painting Mike did for you. Ella is the sweetest.
ReplyDeleteOh Kitty, what a sweet story of your bird painting, the comment about you being the branch made me tear up! What a treasure your son's painting is! Oh and your brownies look and sound amazing, you had me at frosting 😂 The teapot set for 1 is adorable!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Oh my goodness Kitty! Well, "you being the branch" just melted my old heart lady! Made me sorta tear up a little! Adorable tea pot and good grief those brownies look so good! YEP, give me a cup of coffee and I'd be good to go. Hope you are doing well. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh, that is the sweetest comment - Nana, you are the branch that holds the family together! What a doll.
ReplyDeleteYour brownies look delicious. Someone just left a comment on one of my brownie recipes and said it "was too sweet" - hello, brownies topped with lemon frosting and then chocolate glaze - that is going to be sweet! I had to laugh!
I love the painting your son made of the birds Kitty. Brownies sound perfect with a cup of tea or coffee. Thanks for the recipe and enjoy the week.
ReplyDeleteDelicious brownies and beautiful painting!Gorgeous teapot!And I agree:That is the sweetest comment!Pretty crochet piece too.Best wishes,Kitty!
ReplyDeleteYour brownies sound amazing Kitty, I want to give them a try. And yes, you are the branch that supports your whole family-perfect:@)
ReplyDeleteYour brownie recipe is similar to one I've used for years, too, from the Hershey chocolate company. Your grandchildren are so sweet and return the love you have shown them. What a lovely comment to cherish.
ReplyDeleteI love the bird artwork too. What a meaningful gift. Your son is very talented--maybe he inherited his artistry from your aunt Kitty who painted the teacups?
ReplyDeleteThe brownies certainly look like they have the best taste!
Oh what a talented artist your son, Mike, is! The painting of all those birds is lovely. Love too, the adorable teapot and teacup your neighbour gifted you. Now for those brownies.....how delicious they look. Why, I want one now; much better than the plain biscuit I am 'enjoying' with my cup of tea. All your birdhouses are adorable, too...and the vignette of your sofa and all the pretties on your wall is just lovely. Why, I would love to snuggle up on your sofa and enjoy a cuppa and a brownie with you.
ReplyDeleteKitty those brownies sound like the BOMB but please tell me that's 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in the frosting and not 12??
ReplyDeleteLove the bird paint ting and Ella's thoughtful comment, that's so sweet! I also love that undividual tea service! What a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy the sounds of the water and birds!
Oh Kitty, This is the sweetest post! The stack-able tea set is darling, such a special gift from your friend. I love the birds and so perfect for spring in your garden with the birdhouses. I have to say the painting from your son is so precious with family members represented by the little birds. What made perfect sense from little Ella is precious, you are the branch of the tree. The painting is lovely. Happy June Kitty.......
ReplyDeleteBrownies and bird houses! Love this post, Kitty! The sweet stacked tea for one is adorable. I can see you using it often. I've gained weight with all the baking I've done in the past weeks of isolation, but those brownies sure are tempting! Happy June!
ReplyDeleteThat little birdie atop your sweet tea set is just too, too cute Kitty! You combined all the necessary elements for a lovely quiet moment with a cuppa. The brownies sound delicious...I like my nuts mixed in. I've never made brownies other than from a box mix! *hangs head in shame* I shall try your recipe next time I get some company.
ReplyDeleteYou are very smart to make your own brownies from scratch! Love your stackable tea pot and cup too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely painting your son did of the birds in your backyard. The story is precious and you being the branch just warms my heart.
Your bird houses are very cute.I enjoy the birds that visit my yard so much. They were great company while we were at home during the quarantine.
Dearest Kitty, I too love birdhouses. Caring for our feathered friends is a task I enjoy. Love your teapot & cup and oh those brownies are calling me! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love the painting of the birds! What a wonderful gift from your son. We have so many beautiful birds here that come to our feeders...feasting on the beauty of the Creator does help me keep my focus on The One who has me in the palm of His hand...His eye is on the sparrow and I know He's watching me. Hugs & blessings, dear friend.♥
ReplyDeleteAw, that is just so sweet about you being the branch! And that picture painted by your son is just amazing! The brownies look amazing, too! Love and blessings to you today, Kitty!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice gift, a lovely painting.
ReplyDeleteI do like your teapot and cup and the brownies look delicious.
All the best Jan
What a perfect setting to enjoy a cup of tea and a brownie! I have baked way too much during this pandemic but i will remember this recipe for the future! Cute blue birdhouse!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful painting, Kitty! Your son is a very talented artist. Perfect with the bird teapot set and bird houses :) What a sweet comment by Ella ♥
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep your lovely figure, eating such "goodies"????????????
ReplyDeleteLovely painting, and what your "Grand" said about it....