¯If you don't have buttermilk on hand, substitute 2ts vinegar or lemon juice mixed into «c milk... or use powdered buttermilk mixed as the directions specify.®

Preheat oven to 400ø

1) In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and the sugar... In a heavy sauce pan, combine the butter, shortening, coffee (or water), and cocoa, and heat... stirring to boiling... 2) Pour the cocoa mixture over the flour mixture in the bowl, add the buttermilk (or the substitute), eggs, baking soda, and vanilla, and mix well using a wooden spoon or high speed elec. Mixer... 3) Pour into a well battered 17«" x 11" jelly roll pan and bake in a 400 ° oven for 20 min. Or until the brownies test done in the center... 4) While the bownies bake... prepare the frosting, by combining the cocoa, butter, and milk in a sauce pan and heating, stirring to boiling... Then mix in the sugar and the vanilla until the mixture is smooth... 5) Pour warm frosting over the brownies as soon as they come out of the oven... Cool... cut and serve...

*** Microwave Directions *** 1M) In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and the flour... and in a microwave safe dish, combine the butter, coffee (or water), and the cocoa... and microwave on high (100%) for 2 min. Until just boiling... 2M) Pour the boiling mixture over the flour mixture, stirring to blend... Add the buttermilk (or subtitute), eggs, baking soda, and vanilla, mixing well... 3M) Pour the entire mixture into a microsafe 9" x 11" baking dish and nuke at med-high (70%) for 18 minturning the dish every 4 to 5 min., until the brownies test done in the center... (They may still appear soft on the surface) 4M) Prepare the frosting in a microsafe dish by combining the butter, cocoa, and the milk... and nuking on high for 2 min... stirring once, add the powdered sugar and vanilla, stirring to blend... 5M) Pour warm frosting over the hot brownies ... let cool... cut and serve...

From the Great American Recipes collection and Fred Goslin on Cyberealm Bbs in Watertown Ny. At (315) 786-1120