The Best Brownies

{source}

I don't think I'll ever use a box recipe again!  These are incredible and completely not complicated.  

{What you need}

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

{frosting}

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.  In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter.  Remove from heat and add the vanilla.  In a separate bowl {I use my mixer} sift together cocoa, flour, sugar, salt, and powder.  Mix in eggs.  Add butter mixture and mix until all incorporated.  Pour into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.

For frosting, combine all ingredients and mix well.  Frost brownies while they are still warm.

(compliments of Angie from allrecipes.com)

Easy Gourmet Chicken

Found this winner on Pinterest the other day and assembled it in literally three minutes.  It melted in our mouths and will definitely be added to our rotation.  Perfect for busy nights where the time gets away from you and dinner sneaks up!

{What you need}

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup mayo

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray and place chicken breasts in dish.  Combine all topping ingredients and spread over the chicken breasts.  Bake at 400 for 35-40 minutes.

Yep, that's really it.

Breakfast Pie and Homemade Pie Crust

{source}

This is a great savory breakfast pie, perfect for Easter Brunch!  You can play with the taste a little by adding cheeses of your choice, but we loved it with colby jack and mozzarella.  It would be awesome with cheddar and swiss, too.

{What you need}

1 pound ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup cheese of your choice

1 cup different cheese of your choice

{for the crust}

2 cups flour

1 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

Make the crust first:  In a large bowl combine flour and salt.  Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the water and mix until a ball is formed.  Divide dough into two, one for the bottom and one for the top of the pie.  Press one of the balls of dough into the bottom of a pie dish, rising up the sides slightly.  Roll the other ball of dough out flat into a large circle to cover the pie once you put the filling in.

*You can keep the dough in the fridge over night for optimal outcome, but I just used it right away and it was still delicious.

For the pie filling: In a large skillet, saute onions and mushrooms until onions start to become a little translucent.  Add the beef and cook thoroughly.  Drain the drippings and stir in garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.  Remove from heat and let cool slightly.  In a separate bowl, beat eggs, milk, and mayo together.  Combine with the meat mixture.  Fold in cheeses and pour mixture into the prepared pie dish.  Cover pie with second portion of pie crust and seal off around the edges.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 and bake for 20-30 minutes more, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.  Let stand about ten minutes before cutting.  

Inspired by this recipe and this recipe