Sheila's awesome brownies

My mother-in-law (Sheila) has done so many wonderful things for me over the years, but nothing compares to sharing this recipe for brownies with me. Okay, well she did raise her son to become my wonderful husband, but this definitely comes in second! They are chocolatey and delicious, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand. (Or at least a generous neighbor whose kindness is rewarded in brownies) Oh, and for all of you brownie connoisseurs out there, they are a cake-like brownie. Here we go:

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a saucepan over low heat, slowly melt the butter.
In a separate bowl mix the sugar and cocoa powder together. Add the melted butter and stir 'till blended. To this, add the eggs and vanilla and mix together. Finally, add the flour and salt to the brownie mixture. Stir just until the flour is incorporated. Put the brownie batter into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, poke the center with a toothpick at 40 minutes. If it comes out clean they are done. Let cool for at least 1 hour, dust lightly with powdered sugar and serve.

These brownies are very versatile. If you don't have nut allergies at your house, add pecans or walnuts to the batter before baking. Or you could replace the vanilla with mint extract and make mint brownies. These are also delicious with homemade chocolate frosting on top.