For Dot: I Never Knew You, But Your Brownies Are Awesome.

In the Taylor family, if you bring an out-of-this-world dish to a family gathering, they name it after you. I have pumpkin bars named after me in their family, even though I fully disclosed that they were a Paula Deen recipe. It makes no matter, to the Taylors, they are called "Lindsey's Heart Attack Pumpkin Bars."

Dot Schroeder was a dear friend of John's parents. She loved the kids, and would bring this brownie dessert over often. They became known as "Dot's Brownies," and the name has stuck. I've never met Dot, but I have heard John's family tell great stories about her and her husband Bob. Sadly, she is no longer with us, but the brownie recipe and the stories have lived on.

This week I have been craving something sweet, but have resisted temptation until today. The weather is gloomy, and I wanted a comforting, yummy dessert. Enter Dot's Brownies. Any dessert where you make your own frosting is the cat's pajamas in my book. These brownies are delicious, and easy, and you will shovel them into your face with great speed.

Dot's Brownies
-2 cups sugar
-1/4 c. cocoa
-1 c. melted margarine (I used butter)
-4 eggs
-2 tsp vanilla
-1 1/2 c flour
-1 tsp salt
-1/2 c. chopped nuts--Nobody that I've seen in hubs family has ever added the nuts. I sometimes wonder why they are even mentioned, so these are totally optional.

Mix sugar and cocoa together, stir in melted margarine. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Sift flour (pfft. yeah right. I didn't) and salt together, stir into cocoa mixture and fold in nuts (or don't). Pour into greased jelly roll pan and bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. While these are baking, whip up the frosting.

Frosting
-1 c sugar
- 1/2 c butter
-1/3 c milk
dash salt
-1 oz. semi sweet chocolate--I use chips, and I eyeball it. About 2 handfuls...or 3.

Throw all of this in a saucepan on medium high. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Cool in a pan of ice, about 5 minutes. Beat to spreading consistency.

When the brownies are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, and then frost the brownies. Let completely cool, and then get down on it. I promise, you'll never eat boxed brownies again.

So, thank you Dot for making such an awesome brownie. If the brownies are anything like you were, you were a pretty groovy lady yourself.