Martha's Fudge Peanut Butter Brownies

Brownies

1 cup of butter (2 sticks, no substitutions)
1/3 cup Hershey’s Cocoa 
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs (at room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) jar peanut butter

1. Melt 1 cup butter and 1/3 cup cocoa in a saucepan over low heat until butter melts, stirring constantly.
2. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
3. Combine sugar, flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
4. Slowly add chocolate mixture and beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended.
5. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until blended. Do not over beat.
6. Spread mixture into a greased 15 x 10 inch jellyroll pan. 
7. Bake in 350-degree oven for 25–30 minutes. Every oven is different, so I recommend inserting a toothpick in the middle of the brownies and making sure it comes out clean. If not, cook one minute at a time until done. Don’t overcook.

Peanut Butter Topping

1. Spoon mounds of peanut butter across the top of the hot brownies. As peanut butter begins to soften and melt, gently spread evenly across the top of the hot brownies.
2. Let cool completely, and then chill for 30 minutes until peanut butter sets up firm.

Fudge Frosting

1/2 cup of butter (1 stick)
1/3 cup whole milk (no substitutions)
10 large marshmallows
1/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa
1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar

1. Cook 1 stick of butter, milk and marshmallows in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until marshmallows melt.
2. Remove pan from heat and gradually sift in 1/4 cup cocoa, beating with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
3. Sift powdered sugar and gradually stir into cocoa mixture with hand mixer until smooth.
4. Spread frosting over peanut butter; place back in fridge and chill at least another 20 minutes so fudge frosting will set.
5. If not serving immediately, cover with foil and keep in fridge.
6. To serve, trim off all of the edges of the brownies. Cut into small squares (these are very rich). Optional: Garnish each piece with 1/4 of a miniature peanut butter cup. Best served at room temperature.

courtesy of Martha Sartin Thompson (friend from college, one of the girls from Johnson Hall.

Chocolate Coconut Cake

Ingredients

For the chocolate cake:

·         1 box devil's food cake mix

·         oil, eggs and water as directed on cake mix package

·         cooking spray

For the coconut sauce:

·         3/4 cup milk

·         3/4 cup granulated sugar

·         15 large marshmallows

·         3 cups flaked sweetened coconut

·         3/4 teaspoon cornstarch

For the chocolate frosting:

·         3 tablespoons butter

·         6 tablespoons granulated sugar

·         4 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder , sifted

·         4 1/2 tablespoons milk

·         2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

1.    For the cake: Coat a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix with the oil, eggs and water in amounts as directed on the box and bake according to package instructions. Cool completely in the pan.

2.    For the coconut sauce: Combine milk, sugar and marshmallows in a medium saucepan, cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until the marshmallows are melted.

3.    Stir in coconut and cornstarch, bring to a boil. Cook one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour the coconut sauce over the cake while it's still warm, then let cool completely before you add the frosting.

4.    For the frosting: Melt butter in a small, heavy saucepan over low heat. Add granulated sugar, milk and cocoa powder, cook for 2-3 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly combined.

5.    Remove from heat and cool slightly. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Pour over the cake. Add the sprinkles on top while the frosting is still warm. Do not try to spread the frosting with a knife or it will not set properly.