Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray, for spraying the foil
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- One 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
- Suggested topping combinations: white chocolate chips and toasted chopped walnuts; cashews and dried cranberries; chopped pretzels and raisins; toasted coconut and chopped dried pineapple; or any combination of chopped dried fruit, toasted nuts, mini mars
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
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Stir together the sugar, butter, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl. Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder all at once and stir until just combined. Stir in half of the semisweet chocolate chips and spread the mixture in the prepared pan.
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Bake until the brownies begin to pull away from the edge of the pan and set in the center, 30 to 35 minutes. Immediately sprinkle with the remaining semisweet chocolate chips and let stand until the chips are melted, about 5 minutes. Spread the melted chips evenly over the top of the brownies with a spatula. Let the chocolate cool for about 10 minutes and then sprinkle with whatever combination of toppings you choose, pressing the toppings gently into the chocolate to adhere. Lift the brownies out of the pan with the foil and cool completely on a rack. Cut into 16 squares and serve.