Although I have another brownie recipe that I really prefer, the effort required means that I almost never make them. This is the recipe that we actually use on a regular basis.

Ingredients

  • 2 sticks (1 cup) butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting (optional)

  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 teastpoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • pinch salt

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, and eggs together until fluffy. Add cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Mix until well incorporated.
  3. Spread evenly in baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges begin to crisp. Remove to cooling rack.
  4. While brownies are baking, mix all frosting ingredients together, and beat until smooth.
  5. Frost brownies when completely cool.