Kahlua Brownies

Donna Matthews's Note:

Rich and chocolatey with a hint of coffee and kahlua ... topped with a rich creamy frosting and you have the perfect potluck dessert ... or serve it with some vanilla ice cream for a company dessert. Cook time does not include cooling time for the brownies before adding the frosting.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 9x13 pan

Brownies

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 cup Kahlua
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee crystals
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

frosting

• 3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup Kahlua
• 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. To make the brownies:.
2. Melt together the butter and baking chocolate in a double boiler or microwavable bowl, stirring frequently.
3. Pour into mixing bowl and let cool while you are collecting all your other ingredients.
4. To the chocolate mixture, add the eggs and beat well.
5. Then add the vanilla, kahlua and coffee crystals and mix well.
6. Beat in the sugar, flour, salt and baking powder until well mixed.
7. Scrape into a buttered 9x13 baking dish.
8. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes; do not overbake or the brownies will be dry.
9. Let cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
10. For frosting:.
11. To melt the chocolate squares, I like to use a 1 cup glass measuring cup in the microwave; stirring often and using short time periods.
12. To slightly cooled chocolate, stir in vanilla, kahlua, and coffee crystals.
13. In a mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy.
14. Alternately add sugar and chocolate mixture , beating until smooth.
15. Add salt to taste (the saltiness should just bring out the sweetness, not overpower it).
16. Spread over cooled brownies.