#218 - Midnight Mocha Brownies

(by Aunt Eileen [Knouse] Carter)

2/3 cup Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate bits
1/2 cup butter
1 cup + 2 TBSP white sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup hot water
2 TBSP instant coffee granules
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup Hershey's cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
Mocha frosting: 3 cups sifted Domino's powdered sugar, 2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa, 1/2 cup butter, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/3 cup hot water mixed with 2 TBSP instant coffee granules.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the 2/3 cup chocolate bits, 1/2 cup butter and pour into mixer bowl. Beat and add 1 cup + 2 TBSP white sugar, and add 2 eggs one at a time. Beat well after each egg is added. Combine 1/4 cup hot water and 2 TBSP instant coffee in a cup or bowl--stir until dissolved. Add coffee mixture to the chocolate mixture (no need to cool). Add 1/2 cup cocoa, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 cup flour and beat well. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 x 2 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted on side comes out clean--do not overbake. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Frosting: in a mixer, beat 1 cup powdered sugar, 2/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup butter, 1 tsp. vanilla. In a cup, add 1/3 cup hot water and stir in 2 TBSP instant coffee granules--let cool before adding. Once cooled, add half of the cooled coffee mixture to the frosting mixture in the mixer and beat. Gradually beat in the other 2 cups of powdered sugar and the remaining half of cooled coffee mixture. Beat until frosting is a good consistency for frosting. Frost the cooled brownies.