Divine Truffle Brownies

A perfectly decadent dark chocolate truffle brownie--perfect for Valentine's Day or other romantic occasion like anniversaries, -or- just because!. Tip: to take these brownies seriously over the top, lay a heart shaped stencil over each portion (before cutting), and sift powdered sugar over the top. Remove stencil, and oooh-la-la! Serve with hot fudge sauce or fresh raspberries and whipped cream, if desired.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package  baker  semisweet chocolate or 1 (6 ounce) package  baker  bittersweet chocolate squares, divided
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine
• 3⁄4 cup sugar, divided
• 3  eggs, divided
• 1  cup flour
• 2⁄3 cup heavy cream or 2⁄3 cup  whipping cream

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 F degrees (325 F for glass baking dish).
2. Line 8-inch baking pan with foil extending over edges to form handles.
3. Grease foil.
4. Microwave 2 squares chocolate and butter in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until butter is melted.
5. Stir until chocolate is melted.
6. Stir in 1/2 cup of the sugar.
7. Stir in 1 egg until well blended.
8. Stir in flour.
9. Spread batter in pan.
10. Microwave remaining chocolate (6 squares if using semi-sweet, 4 squares if using bittersweet) and the cream in microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes; stir until chocolate is melted.
11. Beat remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 2 eggs in small bowl with mixer on high speed 1 minute until thick and lemon-yellow colored; beat in chocolate/cream mixture.
12. Pour over batter in pan.
13. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until mousse topping is set and the edges begin to pull away from sides of pan.
14. Cool in pan.
15. Run knife around edge of pan to loosen brownies from sides.
16. Lift from pan using foil as handles.
17. Decorate with powdered sugar, if desired (see tip).
18. Cut into 16 fudgy brownies.
19. For an extra special touch, garnish with fresh red raspberries and whipped cream!