Many stories tell of the birth of our national favorite, the brownie. One is as simple as an accidental omission of baking powder to a cake recipe by a housewife in Maine. Another tells of the invention by the chef at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago during the 1893 Columbian Exposition. One Bertha Palmer requested a dessert to put in box lunches for ladies that would not get their hands too messy. Another tells of a cook making a cake and not having enough flour for the recipe. He used what he had and baked it anyway. The most unlikely tale; "a chef mistakenly added melted chocolate to a batch of biscuits".

It's easy to see how this American original got its name from its chocolaty color, but nobody knows for sure when the term 'brownie' was used for the first time. The early recipes in print started to show up at the beginning of the twentieth century. And today the term 'brownie' covers two distinct variations, fudgy and cakey. People can be very devoted to one kind or the other. Two other debates swirling around these bites of heaven: to frost or not to frost and using cocoa powder as opposed to unsweetened baking chocolate. So, the word brownie covers a lot of territory.

Additions to any brownie recipe abound. Nuts are already included in most recipes. Chocolate chips are, of course, the first and best choice in my humble opinion. Some ideas you might try: butterscotch, white chocolate and peanut butter chips; mini marshmallows; a scoop of peanut butter; any of your favorite liqueurs or coffee flavors; or swirl with caramel ice cream topping just before putting into the oven.

This recipe is one I have been making for years. I also found the identical recipe online and it was called 'Ultimate Brownies'. I think this fits better than just 'Brownies'.

Melt chocolate and butter in saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly. Set aside to cool slightly. Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt in large bowl at high speed for 10 minutes. Blend in chocolate mixture at low speed. Add the flour, mixing just to blend. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Spread batter into greased 9x13 baking pan and bake at 375° F. for 35 to 40 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool completely and cut into squares.