Texas Brownies

Brownies:
2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. strong brewed coffee or water
1/4 c. dark, unsweetened cocoa
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Frosting:
1 stick butter
2 Tbsp. dark cocoa
1/4 c. milk 
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla


Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and the sugar. In a heavy saucepan, combine butter, shortening, coffee or water and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling. Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar in the bowl. Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Mix well using a wooden spoon or high speed electric mixer. Pour into a well greased  17 1/2 by 11 in baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes or until brownies test done in the center. While brownies bake, prepare the frosting. In a saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa, and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring. Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until frosting is smooth. Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as you take them out of the oven. Cool. Cut into bars.

Recipe courtesy of Mama Hess