BASIC BROWNIES WITH 4 VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Basic Brownies:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9 inch square baking pan with foil; coat with cooking spray. In bowl, mix butter into cocoa until smooth. Stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and baking powder until combined. Spread in pan. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove brownies from pan to rack; cool completely.
• Ultra-Rich Frosting:On medium speed, beat 10 tablespoons butter (melted) and 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth. Gradually beat in 1 package (1 pound) confectioners sugar and 6 tablespoons milk until fluffy. Spread over brownies.
• Mexican Sundaes: Dissolve 2 tablespoons instant coffe granules in 1 tablesppon hot water. Prepare Basic Brownies, adding coffee mixture and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Top with dulche de leche ice cream, whipped cream and jimmies. Makes 16.
• Mint Truffle Cups: Line 42 mini muffin cups with mini cupcake liners. Prepare Basic Brownies; divide batter among cups. Unwrap 42 mint truffle kisses (from 10 ounce package). Press 1 kiss deep into center of each cupcake. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Transfer from pans to racks; cool. For frosting, on medium high, beat 10 tablespoons butter (at room temperature) until fluffy. Beat in 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1/8 teaspoon mint extract and 1 drop green food coloring until fluffy. Pipe or spread over brownies. Top with halved kisses. Makes 42.
• Peanut Butter Brownies: Cut 25 mini peanut butter cups into quarters. Whisk 2 tablespoons milk into 2 tablespoons peanut butter until smooth. Prepare Basic Brownies, stirring in 1 cup quartered peanut butter cups; spread in pan. Drop peanut butter mixture by tablespoonfuls over batter; swirl with knife. When brownies are removed from oven, sprinkle with remaining quartered peanut butter cups; cool. Makes 32.
• Triple-Chocolate Brownies: Prepare Basic Brownies, stirring in 1/2 cup mini M & Ms. For frosting, on medium high beat 1 cup butter (at room temperature) with 1 cup white chocolate chips (melted and cooled) until smooth. Beat in 2 cups confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons milk until fluffy. Spread over brownies. Sprinkle with mini M & Ms. Makes 32.