Rich Quick & Easy Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 8 bars (8-ounce package) semisweet baking chocolate, broken into pieces
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional Brownie Frosting: 2 bars (1 ounce each) unsweetened baking chocolate, broken into pieces
• Optional Brownie Frosting: 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• Optional Brownie Frosting: 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• Optional Brownie Frosting: 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Optional Brownie Frosting: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional Brownie Frosting: 2 to 3 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
2. Combine the sugar, evaporated milk, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils. Remove from the heat and add the semisweet baking chocolate; stir until melted. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until well blended. Pour into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the brownies just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. If desired, make the frosting: place the unsweetened chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute, then in 10-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted.
4. Combine the powdered sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla. Add 2 tablespoons water and beat until smooth, adding the remaining water as needed to reach a spreadable consistency. Frost the cooled brownies if desired, then cut into squares.