Fudgy brownies – they had to come eventually.  These brownies now have a special place in my life.  It was Friday night, I had picked the girls up from school – and I was just about to figure out what I was going to make for dinner.  I still had work to do, so I kept procrastinating by going to the computer to just reply to one more email…when the phone rang.

I didn’t recognize the voice at all, nor did I recognize the phone number.  It was a very good friend of mine from high school – it was probably almost 20 years since we last saw each other.  She was such a big part of my life in high school, but then you go to college – and it is hard to keep in touch with everyone.  She was one of the people I just lost touch with.  I owe this all to Facebook – that’s where she found my number, because yes, we are friends.  She was visiting the pacific northwest, and happened to mention it on Facebook – and another one of our friends reminded her that I lived here.  She ended up coming over for dinner that night, and what a fabulous evening we had catching up…

Needless to say, I decided to forgo making dinner – and ordered a pizza instead – but I did make a batch of these brownies.  The recipe was from Cooking Light - and I wasn’t expecting anything – but I have to say, they were pretty darn good.  At 150 calories a piece, you cannot go wrong here.  They were moist, dense, and very chocolatey.  Facebook, these brownies are for you – for bringing old friends together!!

Ingredients

• 4.5  ounces  all-purpose flour (1 cup)
• 1/2  cup  unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/3  cup  butter
• 2  ounces  dark chocolate, chopped
• 1  cup  granulated sugar
• 1/4  cup  1% low-fat milk
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 2  large egg yolks
• 1  large egg
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk.

Place butter and chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl, and microwave at HIGH for 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds. Stir until smooth, and set aside. Cool slightly. Add 1 cup sugar, milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, egg yolks, and egg; stir with a whisk to combine. Add butter mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Pour batter into an 8-inch square metal baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean.

Makes 16 squares.

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