Aunt Marion's Brownies

We have some "holiday" birthdays in our family. Grandpa (Lee) Anderson celebrates his birthday on Groundhog's Day. His father Great Grandpa (George) Anderson was born on the 4th of July. And Grandpa's big sister Aunt Marion was born on St Patrick's Day.

You didn't get to know her very well. I wish you had had more time with her, because she was one of my favorite people ever! She loved Jesus! She loved people! She was always welcoming people into her home and serving great homemade food.

Aunt Marion probably lived with a lot of pain in her life, but I don't recall her ever complaining. She was the first person I knew to have hip replacement surgery. When I picture her in my mind, she has her shiny metal crutches and a sweet smile on her face.

When she died, Uncle Chuck renamed her birthday "St Marion's Day", and that is how I always think of it. Since tomorrow is March 17th I'm sharing her brownies with you. Aunt Shirley remembers eating them when we were in high school. Get ready for some melt in your mouth goodness!

Aunt Marion's Brownies with Frosting

1 stick softened butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 can Hershey's chocolate syrup

1 cup flour

1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 cake pan. Grab a large bowl, stir together the butter and sugar with a wooden spoon (or electric mixer if you have one) until it is nice and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until very smooth with no eggy, gooey clumps. Next dump in the WHOLE can of chocolate syrup, then mix some more until it is all chocolatey goodness. Now add the flour and stir it into the chocolate-ness. Stir in the nuts if you want them, but I'm guessing you won't =). Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Frosting:

6 tbsp butter or margarine

6 tbsp milk

1 1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cook the butter, milk & sugar in a pan until it boils, stirring the whole time. Let it boil for 1 minute. Eat some chocolate chips out of the bag while you are waiting, you've been working so hard! Remove from heat and mix in the chocolate chips, stirring until they are all melted. Pour the hot frosting on top of the warm brownies and spread it quickly, it will set up fast. Let them cool and prepare to enjoy!