Mandys Bacon Brownies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups butter, melted
3 cups sugar

Whisk these together by hand in a big bowl until smooth and creamy.  Preheat over to 350F and make sure there’s a rack one or two notches above the middle of the oven ready for you.  Now add:

1 tbsp vanilla extract
4 eggs

Whisk again, mixing thoroughly, then sift (yes, sift) in:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder (the darker the better!)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Bacon Salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Stir with a big wooden spoon until well mixed. Remember, you don’t get extra points for beating it to death.

Grease a casserole dish in your manner of choice and spread the batter in the pan.  It’ll even itself out the rest of the way while it’s baking.  Top with:

2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 lb. really good bacon strips, already cooked
Bacon brownie sprinkle (sprinkle to taste -- you’ll have some left over):
    1/4 cup sugar
    1 tbsp Bacon Salt (try different flavors!)
    2 tsp black pepper
    1 tsp cinnamon

Bake 25-30 minutes or until a fork comes out clean and the middle of the batter doesn’t jiggle when you shimmy it.  I dare you to let these cool before you cut them, and I forgive you if you can’t wait.  Now, give that batter-covered wooden spoon to someone special, and enjoy this decadent treat!

Directions
Learn more about Mandy (J&D's favorite caterer) at http://www.baconandbakin.com/