Rocky Road Brownies

One of the nice parts about being on vacation at the same time as the Cormiers is that Betsy and I split the cooking duties quite well.  We almost always planned separately and then came together, and our meals just melded.  Another nice part was the days when Betsy made dinner, and I was free to focus on dessert.  I made a number of different things, including yesterday's chocolate chip cookies (which for some reason didn't get posted till today; technical difficulties!) and my famous eclair ring.  Another day I made these rocky road brownies per my sisters' request.

Basically these brownies are just regular brownies, but after you take them out of the oven, you add the rocky road toppings: mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and chopped walnuts.  I was out of chocolate chips because I had made a double batch of cookies the day before, but I just used M&Ms.  Hey: chocolate is chocolate, right?  Pat appreciated the touch of color they added!  And since all the brownies were gone in under 48 hours, I'd say they were a hit.  Joey really knew how to enjoy them and made himself a rocky road brownie sundae!

Recipe:

rocky road brownies
from Taste of Home
makes about 2 dozen

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, cubed
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions:

1) In a microwave, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth.  Cool for 10 minutes.

2) In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla until blended.  Stir in chocolate mixture.  Gradually add flour until well blended.

3) Spread into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Sprinkle with the marshmallows, chocolate chips, and walnuts; bake 4 minutes longer.  Cool on a wire rack.