Better Than Box Mix Brownies

I've got a pretty decadent treat for you guys today, and I know you're going to love it. But first, a little background... I come from the school of thought that says anything that's homemade tastes better than something you can buy from the store. Case in point? Check out this homemade oatmeal cream pie recipe - so much better than the box kind. Anyway, to me, there was only one exception to this "homemade trumps store bought" rule: brownies. No matter how many times I tasted a homemade brownie, I would always think to myself that it couldn't quite compare to the standard box mix that I loved so much. In fact, I was so certain that the box mix couldn't be beat, that I never even considered trying to make brownies from scratch. Until last week, that is, when we arranged to go out to dinner with my parents and some of their lovely friends. Their friends have an adorable little boy who happens to love brownies, so I decided that this would be a great time to try my hand at making some from scratch. I mean, this kid is a brownie expert, so I figured he'd be able to tell if they were good better than anyone else. We all met up for dinner on Friday night and the verdict is in: these brownies blow the box mix out of the water! I never thought I'd see the day, but I found my new go-to brownie recipe, and I'm happy to leave those box mixes behind, without ever looking back.

Adapted from this recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tbsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil, allowing it to hang over the edges and spray the foil with cooking spray.
• In a small pot, completely melt the butter over medium low heat.

• Once completely melted, add in the sugar and stir together.
• Stir continually, cooking for 2 minutes, but do not allow the mixture to come to a boil.

• Pour the butter and sugar mixture into a large bowl.
• Pour in the cocoa powder and mix to combine.

• Add in the eggs, salt, baking powder and vanilla and beat until fully incorporated.
  
• With the mixer on low, add in the flour and beat until thoroughly combined.
  
• Stir in the chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed.
  
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out almost clean.
  
  
• Allow the brownies to cool, and lift them out of the pan using the foil overhang.
  
• Carefully peel back the edges of the foil and cut into squares.
  
• Best served with a glass of cold milk.