June 4, 2012

One-Bowl-Brownies with PB Cream Cheese Frosting

You know it's good when the frosting is as thick as the brownie, right?


That was the first clue that I needed to get these stupidly delicious things out of the house as soon as possible.


Let me tell you a story of embarrassment.  This was, upon moving to the 49th state, one of my first clues that I wasn't in Pennsylvania anymore.

That's right.  It's "make fun of Alaska" time again.

These brownies with the peanut butter frosting remind me very much of my family's recipe for Texas Sheet Cake.

Texas Sheet Cake is ah-maz-ING.  I used to request it for my birthday and my aunt would be kind enough to make it.  She'd make it for many family gatherings.  I could eat slices of that cake all day long.

So when I was invited to a recipe swap in Alaska, with people from all over the country, I was very excited to show it off.  I made an 11x17 inch pan of chocolatey goodness.  My husband was deployed at the time (shocker) so it was just me and I was happy to have a reason to bake a cake.

At the end of the night, I was actually pretty horrified (and embarrassed, if we're being honest) to realize that over THREE-FOURTHS of my cake remained.  I don't think anyone even copied down the recipe.  I was seriously insulted.  These people had no idea how silly they were or what an opportunity they'd just passed up!

So I had to go home with an enormous pan of Texas Sheet Cake.  I cried, guys.  I already felt like I was at the end of my rope:  deployed husband, trapped in Seward's Icebox, and all.  And now no one even wanted my cake??

It was a rough weekend.

So then.  Came. The. REAL. Problem.  I was facing down the most delicious cake in the world.  I stuck it in the freezer.  I nibbled at it over the next couple of days.  And then I knew that it was the jeans or the cake.  So I threw it away.  

I haven't made it since.  I was scarred by this incident, as silly as it may seem.  It was one more thing that seemed to separate me from these "I LOVE ALASKA" people.  They didn't know good cake when they saw it.  For shame, Alaska, for shame.

Soooo anyway, I made these brownies as a way to use up this delectably-finger-lickin'-good frosting.  As soon as I took a bite, all those repressed Texas Sheet Cake feelings came flooding back.

Come visit me.  I'll bake you a cake.  You just have to promise to eat it.


One-Bowl-Brownies with PB Cream Cheese Frosting
makes an 8x8 pan
adapted from Rachael Ray magazine

4 T. butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
4 T. cocoa powder
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips (if you're feeling crazy)

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and cocoa powder together.  Take off of the heat.  Whisk in the eggs, vanilla, and sugar.  Stir in the flour.   Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.  Pour into a greased 8x8 pan (a pie pan would work too) and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes until the middle springs back when touched.


Top with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting.  You don't have to let it cool first.  I was on my way out the door so I just spread out the frosting evenly while the brownies were still warm and then stuck the whole thing in the fridge.  Keep refrigerated because of the cream cheese in the frosting.  (Frozen would be delicious too!)

Sharing at:
Mingle Monday 
Mix-it-Up Monday
Melt In Your Mouth Monday 
Crazy Sweet Tuesday 
Piece O'Cake Linky Party

6 comments:

  1. MUST try these ASAP! YUMmmmmmm!

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  2. i would take these all and write the recipe down. those alaskans don't know what they're missing!!!

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  3. Follwing your blog!! via Mingle Monday!
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  4. O.M.G. This sounds like Heaven in a pan. Few things make me as happy as chocolate and peanut butter. Summer vacation baking idea?? I think so! :D

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  5. I will eat anything you make me. Especially if it's a Texas Sheet Cake (which I've never had, but totally want and will eat all of) or these brownies. And this frosting, ohmygod.

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  6. ...So hungry now. Will definitely bake these :D

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