Food Friday: Recipe for Chocolate Dipped Brownies

These are the bars that we are taking to the 4th of July Picnic tomorrow!  Shhh, don't tell anybody--they're for the Bar-baking Contest:)  Yep, they're rather decadent.  Decadence is ok in chocolate.  (You other chocolate-lovers know what I'm talking about.)

This is our first time attending this annual picnic, and I'm totally looking forward to it!  They really go all out!  The family hosting it is inviting about 150 people! They plan a fishing contest (they live on a lake), handouts with historical trivia information (I don't know, maybe there's a contest associated with that, too!), a Bar-Baking Contest to go along with the (partly) Potluck--we all bring a side dish and bars, and they provide grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, and Mr. G's famous baked beans!

And then there's music!  Everyone's invited to bring their instruments!  Of course, it's a little difficult to transport our piano, so we won't be doing that, but there'll be plenty of violins and guitars, maybe cellos, a bass viol or flute--trumpet or saxophone?  I really don't know.  But, I do know we'll hear, and probably sing, lots of patriotic music!!  Games for the youngest in the group are planned, as well.

And best of all, they will have us pull aside as families for a short time, and give the dads an opportunity to lead their families in a time of prayer for our country. They use the website: Presidential Prayer Team in this time.  (This site includes the President's schedule, and encouraging quotes from famous past Americans and statesmen.)  So, I'm excited to gather together and celebrate this great nation--I believe a very-blessed nation, because it has been founded upon God's ways and Word, by men who trusted in Almighty God, but a nation which needs to repent, and turn back, individually, and corporately, to that God--I celebrate and am thankful to live in America!

I hope you'll try these delicious brownies, and while you're at it, cheer us on to win tomorrow! Win or lose, though, we're sure to have a good time at the 4th of July Picnic!!

Dipped Chocolate Brownies
Yield:  3 dozen

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
2 Tbsp water
4 cups (24 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp shortening
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions:
In a saucepan, bring the sugar, butter and water to a boil over medium heat; remove from the heat.  Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips and vanilla; stir until smooth.  Cool for 5 minutes.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Combine flour, salt and baking soda; stir into chocolate mixture.  Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.

Pour into a greased 9x9 baking dish.  Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes or until set.  Cool completely.  Place in the freezer for 30-40 minutes (don't freeze completely).  Cut into bars.

In a heavy saucepan or microwave, melt remaining chips with shortening; stir until smooth.  Using a small fork, dip brownies to completely coat; shake off excess.  Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets; sprinkle immediately with nuts.

Let stand until set.  Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Enjoy!