Ultimate Brownies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coarsely chop unsweetened chocolate. In saucepan melt butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool.

Line 8x8x2 inch backing pan with foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Stir sugar into melted chocolate mixture until sugar is dissolved. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating with wooden spoon just until combined. Stir in vanilla

In bowl stir together flour and baking soda. Add stir-ins. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture; stir just until combined. Stir in dark chocolate pieces and nuts. Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake 35 minutes or until edges are set and begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool in pan on wire rack. Spoon Chocolate Drizzle across top. Cut in to bars. Makes 16 brownies.

Sweet stir-ins: Add 1/2 cup dried fruit soaked in sparkling wine (or grape juice) for 30 minutes, drained, and chopped; or 3/4 cup candy coated peanut butter pieces to batter.

Spice stir-ins: Add 1 tsp. ground cinnamon or ground ancho chili powder; 2 tsp. orange peel; or 1 Tbsp. espresso powder to flour mixture.

In bowl stir together 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp. vanilla, and 1 1/2 tsp. milk, stir in additional milk, 1 tsp. at a time, until icing is drizzling consistency.