Tasty Tuesday: Basic Brownies

Warning: The next two Tasty Tuesdays focus on chocolate desserts, so if you don't like them... read it anyway lol.

Today's recipe is easy to make, easy to customize, and way too easy to eat. At one point I was making these brownies twice a week because they were requested so much. They have a nice rich flavor without being too heavy. You can add anything you can think of (I've done Andes mint pieces, walnuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter). Don't be afraid to experiment!

Without further ado, here is my favorite brownie recipe.

Basic Brownies

-1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (butter gives a richer flavor)

-1 cup white sugar

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-2 large eggs

-1/2 cup all-purpose flour

-1/3 cup cocoa powder

-1/4 tsp baking powder

-1/4 tsp kosher salt

-1/2 mix-ins, if desired

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together oil, vanilla, and sugar. Beat in eggs.

3. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt (I usually sift everything into a bowl); gradually stir into egg mixture until blended. Stir in extras, if desired. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until brownies begin to pull away from the edges of the pan. Let cool on wire rack before cutting into squares. (I will note, I do not have a wire rack, cooling it in the pan worked just as well.)