Continental Brownies

Ingredients

Contains: egg, milk, wheat (auto-detected from the ingredients and method; we can miss things, so check labels)

• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup hot strongly brewed coffee
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10 inch jelly roll pan.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the white sugar, all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt until evenly combined.

3. In a saucepan over low heat, melt 1/2 cup butter with the shortening. Whisk in 1/3 cup cocoa powder and the hot coffee until smooth, then let cool slightly.

4. Pour the warm cocoa mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well. In a small bowl, beat the eggs with the buttermilk, then stir into the batter until smooth.

5. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

6. While the brownies bake, melt the second 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and the milk, and heat until smooth.

7. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract until glossy and smooth.

8. Spread the frosting over the brownies while they are still warm. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.