Frosted Brownies

Sometimes you just need some chocolate.  I was up for making some brownies and decided to try something I've never conquered before--homemade frosting.  I've seen varieties cooked on the stove top that cool and harden to create a thick layer, but I was looking for something with a creamier texture.  I tracked down a frosting recipe to try out and set out for some more chocolate greatness.

I started out by baking a fresh pan of brownies, following the Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies recipe I made before but leaving out the peanut butter.

While the brownies were cooling, I mixed some softened butter, cocoa, corn syrup, and vanilla together in a small bowl.

Next I stirred in the milk and gradually added the powdered sugar until the frosting was thick and creamy.

I spread the mixture over the brownies to finish them off. 

This is a great frosting recipe and these were just the right flavor to cure my chocolate craving.  The frosting is ridiculously easy to make and went fantastic with the brownies.  My husband took some of these over to a friends house and everyone was amazed that it was a homemade recipe.  Now to try a vanilla variety...

Frosted Brownies Recipe

Ingredients:

For the brownies:

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons powdered sugar

For the frosting:

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 teaspoons water or milk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan with shortening. In a medium bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Mix in eggs. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl; gradually stir into the egg and sugar mixture until well blended. Spread the batter evenly into the baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven once center is cooked and edges are pulling away from pan. Set aside to cool.

To make the frosting, mix butter, cocoa, corn syrup, and vanilla until well combined. Add in powdered sugar and water and mix well.

Makes enough for an 8x8 pan.