Brownies

Line 9x13 pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2 cubes + 3 Tbl. real butter, melted
9 Tbl. cocoa powder (I prefer Kroger brand...even after trying the more expensive stuff!)
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
4 large eggs
7 oz. (about 1-1/2 cups) flour, weighed and then sifted
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Whisk cocoa powder into melted butter.  With mixer, mix in sugar and salt.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix with mixer until combined nicely...but don't overmix a long time. Then, BY HAND, fold sifted flour into mixture. Pour into pan and Bake for 33-34 min...not more or they'll be dry!  Once they've cooled completely, lift foil to lift brownies out of pan.  Set on cooling rack and peel back edges of foil.  Put a cutting board over the TOP of the brownies and flip them over.  Peel off the foil.  Frost them as desired. Cut into desired-size squares with a pizza cutter or cookie cutter shapes.  

You can also make this recipe into a jelly-roll / cookie-sheet-size pan for a larger crowd...just double the recipe! (Spray the pan, line with parchment, and spray the parchment.)

Mint Frosting
2 cubes real butter
4 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbl. heavy cream
2 tsp. mint extract (to taste)
Green Food Coloring

Link to Chocolate Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting
These are also yummy with frosting used on sugar cookies!