Never buy brownie mix again!

Alice was the administrative assistant at my husband's office when my first child was born. While not old enough to be a gramma, she pampered our baby and always wanted to hear (and tell) a "Bubba story." She was always available to babysit and even hung out with our little guy when his sister was born.

On top of her friendship and love for all of us, Alice is a great cook. She often brought food into the office for the staff to sample. Seriously hot salsa, amazing rye rolls and the best brownies on the planet were some of her specialties. While I've never been able to exactly duplicate the rye rolls even with the recipe and detailed instructions, the brownies have adorned our table on probably far too many occasions. These brownies are simple, chocolate goodness made from pantry staples. The top is fragile and crisp while the inside is somewhere between fudgy and cakey that melts in your mouth. Oh, mama!

Auntie Alice's Brownies

10 Tbsp. butter

1 cup sugar

6 Tbsp. cocoa powder

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add sugar, cocoa, flour and salt. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add nuts if desired. Pour into a greased 8x8x2-inch pan. Bake slowly at 325 for 35 minutes. When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost.