Nuclear Betty

Tonight I decided to step a little out of my comfort zone - microwave baking. I agree, it sounds absolutely horrifying, and, being pretty heavy into baking, I questioned my judgement in attempting this recipe. It actually turned out alright, though, in all honesty, good ol' oven brownies are better any day of the week. But if you've got a craving and are strapped for time, these nuked brownies will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) UNSALTED butter (not margarine)

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

In an 8-inch square GLASS baking dish (NOT the disposable aluminum kind! that makes fire. and the gladware plastic thingys don't cook them so well...slightly gooey.) place the butter and chocolate and microwave on high until melted, about 2 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and whisk to combine. The chocolate may hold its shape after being microwaved, but it's really melted; just whisk to combine the butter. Add the sugar and stir well to combine. Sift the flour and salt into the chocolate mixture and add the eggs and vanilla, whisking until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and microwave on high about 5 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

I decided to spice my brownies up, just because I have a fetish with adding superfluous ingredients - like candy - to any batch of brownies I make. With these, I added Heath bits into the batter and frosted with marshmallow fluff sprinkled with more Heath and chocolate chips. You could also try M & M's or Reese's bits... both are quite tasty.