Frosted fudge brownies for an elegant twist, I spread cherry pie filling on top instead of frosting and add whipped cream and shaved chocolate for a Black Forest variation.

Ingredients 

1 cup butter plus 3 tablespoons butter, cubed

3/4 cup baking cocoa

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FROSTING:

6 tablespoons butter, softened

2-2/3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1/2 cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 to 1/3 cup milk

Method 

In a saucepan, melt butter. Remove from the heat. Stir in cocoa; cool.

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture. Stir in vanilla and the cooled chocolate mixture; mix well.

Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack.

For frosting, in a mixing bowl, cream butter, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa and vanilla. 

Add enough milk until the frosting achieves spreading consistency.

Spread over brownies. Cut into bars. Yield: 2 dozen.