Brownies to die for!

Ok, so many, many, many moons ago, I was blessed to enjoy the most delicious brownies to ever be made on this planet.  My boss got the recipe from an amazing, wonderful woman that we knew and we began making these brownies.  Then, one VERY sad day, the recipe went missing.  Needless to say we were all heartbroken.  Not only was our copy of the recipe gone, but this amazing woman who gave it to us couldn't remember it.  We went without these amazing brownies and had to settle for box ghirradeli brownies for SO long!
Then one day, while looking through some binders where she kept some of her recipes, my dear friend and former boss FOUND THE RECIPE!!!  YAY!!!  We were both SO excited!  When I went for a visit a couple weeks ago, she told me of this life changing find, and I promptly began making the brownies!  I should have checked for all the ingredients... We were missing the vanilla.  That is of course the last step.  BUT.... After some frantic searching by both of us, she found the stash of powdered vanilla and we were back on course to enjoy the brownies after all!!
In case you haven't realized by now, I LOVE these brownies!! After making them again tonight, I decided that I have to get the recipe on here so that I never lose it again!

Best ever brownies!
3/4 cup cocoa
1.5 cup butter
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
2.25 cups flour
1.5 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
3 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350*

Grease 11x15" jelly roll pan

Melt butter in pan with cocoa.  Heat til bubbling.  Remove from heat.

Stir in sugar

Add eggs. One at a time ( lightly beat each one before adding to cocoa mix). Stir between each egg addition.

Add dry ingredients. Stir until incorporated.

Add vanilla.  Stir.

Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 35 minutes or less.  30 minues works for me!

Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.


Chocolate frosting (also to die for)

1-1.75 pounds of powdered sugar (4-6 cups)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp evaporated milk
3 rounded Tbsp. cocoa
Combine all ingredients and beat til frosting consistency you like.  Spread over cooled brownies. Enjoy!!!  (try not to eat the whole pan yourself... They are really yummy to share as well. And your friends/family will love you for sharing with them!)