🍫 Brenda Gantt’s Homemade Holiday Brownies

🧺 Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup all-purpose White Lily flour

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, but Brenda would say “throw ’em in!”)

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional for extra gooeyness)

🥣 Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan or the microwave. Pour it into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar until smooth and glossy.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.

4. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.

5. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture. Stir just until you don’t see any more flour—don’t overmix.

6. Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips if using.

7. Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan. It’ll be thick—that’s a good sign!

8. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. (Don’t overbake—fudgy is the goal.)

9. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

🧈 Brenda’s Serving Tips:

• Pour yourself a cold glass of milk—it’s a must.

• Double the recipe if you’re baking for company.

• Once cooled, store them in an airtight container; they’ll stay soft for days.

• Perfect for holiday gifts—wrap a few in wax paper and tie with a red ribbon.