#42 Chocolate-Buttermilk Brownies

#42 Chocolate Buttermilk Brownies

When I first read this recipe I thought they would taste just like a chocolate cake I make-which is amazing--however when I tasted these they actually tasted like brownies and not cake--it was a pleasant surprise--these were good brownies.

2 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 cup water
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk-(my alternate to buttermilk is 1 Tablespoon lemon juice with enough milk to complete 1/2 cup total, I've done this for years)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate-Buttermilk frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15X10X1 inch or a 13X9X2 inch baking pan, set aside. In a medium bowl stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt, set aside.

In a medium saucepan combine butter, water and cocoa powder. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Add melted butter mixture to flour mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add eggs, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute, batter will be thin. Pour batter into prepared baking dish.

Bake in preheated oven about 25 minutes for the 15X10X1 pan or 35 minutes for the 13X9 inch pan or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Pour warm Chocolate-buttermilk Frosting over brownies, spreading evenly. Cool brownies in a pan on a wire risk. Cut into bars. Makes 24 brownies.

Chocolate-buttermilk Frosting

In a medium saucepan combine 1/4 cup butter, 3 tablespoon cocoa powder and 3 Tablespoons butttermilk (again I used 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 2 T. more milk to make 3 T. total)

Bring to a boiling, remove from heat. Beat in 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. If desired add 3/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds.

#37 Banana Bars with Butter-Rum Frosting

#37 Banana Bars with Butter-Rum Frosting

1/2 cup butter softened
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium)
1/2 cup dairy sourcream (I used fat free)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup chopped toasted almonds (I used white chocolate chips instead)
Butter-rum Frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15X10X1 baking pan, set aside.

In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, mashed bananas, sour cream and vanilla until combined. Beat in flour and almonds (chocolate chips)

Spread batter into prepared baking pan. Bake in preheated oven about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Spread with Butter-Rum Frosting. Cut into bars.

Butter-Rum Frosting

In a medium bowl beat 3 tablespoons softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in 1 Tablespoon rum (I used vanilla instead) and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups additional powdered sugar and enough milk to make a frosting of spreading consistency.

I wouldn't make this again, the frosting was too thick to spread, I didn't add enough milk I guess--not a remake.