The Pioneer Woman Cooks - Mocha Brownies

Brownies:
Four 1 ounce squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3 tsps pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Mae's Mocha Icing:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 tsps pure vanilla extract
1/2 to 3/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spray an 8 inch square baking pan with nonstick baking spray.  To make the brownie batter, place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl.  Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments being careful not to let it burn.  Set aside to cool slightly.  In a medium mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar.  Beat in the eggs.  With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the melted chocolate.  Add the vanilla extract and mix.  Add the flour to the bowl and mix just until combined, do not over mix.  Pour the batter in the baking pan and spread it to even out the surface.  Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the center is no longer soft.  Set the brownies aside to cool completely before icing.

To make the icing, in a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla.  Mix until slightly combined, then add 1/2 cup of the coffee.  Whip until the icing is the desired consistency.  If the icing is overly thick, add 1/4 cup more coffee.  It should be very light and fluffy.  Ice the cooled brownies, spreading the icing on thick.  Refrigerate until the icing is firm then slice the brownies into squares. 

OMG!  These are the best brownies I have ever eaten and I've eaten a LOT of brownies in my day.  The frosting alone is to die for.  You could just put this stuff in an IV bag and give it to me intravenously!  The recipe says to bake these in a 8 inch square pan but mine was over flowing so I think the next time I make them I will use an oblong pan instead.  The brownies are great and the frosting makes them great plus infinity!

I'm going to make plain chocolate cupcakes for dessert/birthday cupcakes and I'm going to use this frosting on them.  I figure it could go with just about any kind of cake....spice, angel food, German chocolate, etc.