Amaretto Brownies

I was wanting to make some brownies for the family picnic today...so I looked through my cookbooks.  I saw a recipe but I wanted to give it a little something extra.  I love amaretto...

Pic taken with my phone...not bad!

Amaretto Brownies

2 sticks butter, melted

2 cups sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract (I think it needed a little more)

4 eggs

3/4 cup cocoa

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

optional: sliced almonds for topping

Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add cocoa.  Mix until well blended.  Add flour, baking powder, and salt, beating well.  Pour into greased baking pan.  (OPTIONAL: sprinkle sliced almonds on top)  Bake for 30-35 minutes.  Cool and cut into bars.

Coconut Pecan Bread

Coconut Pecan Bread

Adapted a little from this recipe: Coconut Bread

• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons melted shortening
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup coconut
• 3/4 cup pecans (more or less to your liking)
  

1. Sift flour, baking powder, salt & sugar in a bowl.
2. Add melted shortening & milk.
3. Next add beaten egg, pecans and coconut.
4. Bake in greased loaf pan for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

I made this (prep time was less than 10 minutes!) just tonight. I cut one slice to taste it (and to let my hubby have half a slice, as you see in the pictures). I baked this to bring to work (I had promised a co-worker I'd try to make her a coconut nut bread, since she loves coconuts and pecans (as I do!). It's a little chewy (but the good kind of chewy) but very moist and yummy.

Very easy beginner quick bread recipe.