Ol' Fashioned Fudge Brownies

This is my sister's recipe and it's been our family's Brownie Recipe for as long as I can remember. I must confess, and this is difficult from a chocolate addict, but I don't care for Brownies. And as unAmerican as it might be I don't like Chocolate Chip Cookies either!

Fudge Brownies was submitted by my sister and published in "Family Treasured Recipes" a fundraising cookbook organized by the Schnee Elementary School PTA. Schnee was the school I attended while living in Cuyahoga Falls, OH in the '60s. We lived in Cuyahoga Falls for 3 years and I remember having a crush on Brad Lutz the entire time I lived there. On moving day, Brad sort of hung out around our house all day long. :) While I was growing up, my Dad was transferred here and there and everywhere and we averaged about 2 years in any given place. I was sad to leave our home and friends in Cuyahoga Falls but at the same time I was excited to move back to Michigan.

I made the Brownies for my husband on Valentine's Day. And Mr. Tastebud's ate every single one and he was very happy! I decided to up the ante a bit and added a TBL of Nocello, an Italian Walnut Liqueur. Although I only had a few bites of brownie, I do think they were much better with the Nocello! It added a deep buttery walnut flavor and intensified the chocolate.

Nocello has quite an interesting history best described by Internet Wines.

"Nocello, from the Emeligia-Romagna region of Italy, reigns as the pride of Modena, Italy. It was first produced by Monasteries in the Middle Ages as a medicinal curative, but was soon recognized as a sacred treat. According to local superstition, the green walnuts must be picked on Midsummer's Day. The time of picking is essential because of the delicate and ever-changing flavor of the nut. The walnuts must be picked and shelled delicately, then they are soaked in brown oak casks of alcohol in their shells for two years. Distillation follows the aging process, secret ingredients are added, and then the Nocello is ready. When done properly, this long and delicate process creates a velvety chocolate-colored liqueur with hints of sweetness and a slightly bitter finish. It is also known as a digestive aid."





Fudge Brownies
Recipe adapted from my sister, Sherry

2 sq baking chocolate
1/3 c. butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Optional:
1 TBL Nocello
Nuts for topping

Melt chocolate and butter together. Beat in sugar, eggs, vanilla, nuts and Nocello. Add flour, baking powder and salt sifted together to above mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes in a 8x8" greased pan. Do not over bake brownies.





My Brownies laced with Nocello are my entry in Fiesta Italiana hosted by Maryann of Finding La Dolce Vita and Marie of Proud Italian Cook







After our last little blizzard, the sky was such a gorgeous blue I could not resist snapping a few pictures of our property and sharing them.












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