Texas Brownies

Difficulty: easy Prep Time: Five Minutes Total Time: 30 Minutes or Less
2 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup strong brewed coffee (or water)
1/4 cup dark, unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 tbsp dark cocoa
1/4 cup milk
3 1/2 cups icing sugar, unsifted
1 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar. In heavy saucepan, combine butter, shortening, coffee and cocoa; stir and heat to boiling point. Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar. Add eggs, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla. Mix well using a wooden spoon or electric mixer on high speed. Add nuts, if desired. Pour into a well-buttered 17 1/2x11 cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until brownies test done in the center. For frosting, stir butter, cocoa and milk and heat to boiling. Mix in icing sugar and vanilla. Pour warm frosting over brownies as you take them out of the oven. Cut into 48 bars. (These freeze well).