Orange Brownies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C all-purpose flour

2 C granulated sugar

1 tsp salt

1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened

4 eggs

2 tsp pure orange extract

1 tsp grated orange zest

1 recipe Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2 inch pan.

Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven, allow to cool and pierce entire cake with a fork. Spread the Orange Cream Cheese Frosting over completely cooled brownies. Cut into squares.

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened

4 Tbl softened butter

1 (1 lb) box confectioners' sugar

2 Tbl orange zest

2 Tbl orange juice

In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together with a hand-held electric mixer. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until it is all combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Spread over brownies.

Courtesy Paula Dean 2007

Notes: If the brownies seem to be browning too quickly before setting, place aluminum foil over it the last 10 minutes of baking. I used confectioners' sugar to taste because I didn't have the tools to measure out a lb of sugar. They are extremely rich and delicious! Hope you enjoy it!