Brownies by Frances

1/2 c butter

1/2 c cocoa
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 c flour
1/2 c chocolate chips
1/2 c walnuts (options)

Melt butter. Mix cocoa and sugar. Mix in melted butter. Add in eggs, salt and vanilla. Mix until shiny and smooth. Add flour and baking powder. Mix well. Add chocolate chips and walnuts if desired. Pour in 8” greased baking pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Do not overtake. Look for edges to pull away from pan. Cool and cut.

Options - double recipe and bake in greased 9x13 pan. Or cook in jumbo muffin pans. 

Jam Bars

 3/4 cup shortening (part butter/margarine)

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1 cup jam/jelly of choice

Heat oven to 400. Mix shortening and sugar thoroughly. Stir flour, soda, and salt together; blend in. Mix in oatmeal. Press and flatten 1/2 of mixture over bottom of greased 13x9 pan. Spread with jam. Top with remaining mixture, patting lightly. Bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

*Tip from Ruth: sometimes I add a tiny bit of water to the jam/jelly if it is really thick, or I'm having trouble spreading it.