I promised Myriam over at Once Upon a Tart that I would share a brownie recipe this month (for her browniebabe of the month event). I must say, I don't have a mile high stack of brownie recipes; though at the end of this month I bet she will! I rarely make brownies, though I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because they seem basic and unassuming; though they have the ability to transport the lucky eater to a place of brownie bliss.

For me, brownie bliss involves a dense, chocolaty, nut-studded, just-out-of-the-oven companion to homemade vanilla ice cream. That sentence is a mouthful, but appropriate since eating bites of brownies and creamy ice cream will be mouthful upon mouthful and no doubt if I tried to have a conversation with you DURING my brownie bliss, well, I would be talking with my mouthful right up to the last morsel (pant, pant). And while I am at it, with brownies and just melting ice cream circling my now twisted tongue, no doubt my focus will be on my mouthful of chocolaty goodness and I might not hear you too well. I am focused and somehow my hearing suffers when I am thus inwardly engaged. Can you just wait... a second... hold that thought... mmmm, that is good. Why is it you can taste better with your eyes closed? Wait---What did you say?

I may not be talking---because my tongue is in a twist---or seeing, since my eyes are closed, and I cannot hear you because I am too busy indulging in a little brownie bliss with some vanilla on top. I will simply leave it up to Myriam to sing the brownie praises, and I will just tuck away into my little blissful bowl of browniebabe goodness.

Thanks Myriam!

Nut Studded Brownie Bars 1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts/walnuts 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/3 cup coconut (optional: I left it out) 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 cup white sugar 1/3 cup baking cocoa 1 1/2 cups flour

Combine above in mixer.

2 eggs 2/3 cup vegetable oil 2 tsp vanilla

Add to mixer, combine. Spread into greased 8x8 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Cut and serve immediately with [homemade] vanilla ice cream.