Molten Chocolate Skillet Brownie

A very rich chocolate brownie. Be careful when you start eating, you might find yourself unable to stop!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1 (19 -21 ounce) package  fudge brownie mix
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil
• 2 1⁄4 cups water
• 1 (4 ounce)  bar bittersweet chocolate, fine-quality
• 1 (12 ounce) jar  chocolate fudge topping
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup  sliced almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
•  powdered sugar
•  vanilla ice cream (optional) or   frozen whipped topping (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Lightly spray bottom of an oven proof (12-in.) skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies with the eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1/4 cup water.
4. Spread batter over bottom of skillet.
5. Cut bittersweet chocolate into small pieces.
6. Sprinkle chocolate evenly over batter.
7. Combine 2 cups water and ice cream topping in a large microwave proof bowl; whisk until well blended.
8. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 5-6 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil.
9. Whisk until blended; stir in vanilla. (Mixture will be thin.)
10. Carefully pour ice cream topping mixture over brownie batter in a circular pattern.
11. Bake the brownie batter, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until sauce is bubbling around edges. (Top of brownie will appear very saucy, but will thicken as it cools.)
12. Carefully remove skillet from oven to a cooling rack.
13. Coarsely chop almonds using a Food Chopper; sprinkle evenly over brownie.
14. Lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar.
15. Spoon brownie into small bowls and serve warm with ice cream or thawed whipped topping, if desired.