How to Make My Grandma Dot’s Brownie Recipe
A Nostalgic Brownie Recipe
Pictured above is me with my Grandma Dot taken the night before my sister’s wedding.
In honor of Grandparent’s Day, I am sharing how to make my Grandma Dot’s cherished brownie recipe. Full of fudgy goodness, these brownies were one of her signature recipes.
I love how recipes can tie generations of families together. When you mix up the ingredients and enjoy the end result, you are reminded of happy memories sharing that same recipe with loved ones.
One memory in particular that still makes me laugh is when Grandma was telling us how to make her brownies. She was visiting from Kansas City, and we decided to make a pan of her brownie recipe. She accidentally forgot to tell us to add one cup of sugar. Needless to say, we had a good laugh about it and started over making brownies.
Helpful Hints for Making Grandma Dot's Brownies
Here are a few hints to help you while trying out this brownie recipe!
- Unlike a lot of brownie recipes, you can mix these using an electric hand mixer.
- Using an electric hand mixer makes it easier to beat the eggs until they are a much lighter yellow and slightly thick.
- Let the melted cocoa and shortening mixture cool slightly before combining with the eggs and sugar.
- This is a thick batter, so make sure to spread evenly in your pan.
- Even though these are a more cake-like brownie, you still want to keep a close eye and don’t overbake them.
Grandma's Special Brownie Pan
Pictured is my Grandma Dot’s pan she always used for making her brownie recipe. My mother inherited it, and I like to borrow it when I make these brownies to keep the tradition going.
If you do not have a metal 9 x 13 inch baking pan, click here to purchase this USA Pan bakeware 9 x 13 inch cake pan. I’ve always had great luck with this particular brand of bakeware.
Please Note: The links included are affiliate links. That means, if you purchase something through the link, What A Good Day, LLC will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions are my own. We appreciate your support!
Grandma Dot's Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup shortening
- 6 tbsp cocoa powder
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Melt shortening and cocoa powder together in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together or sift together to combine.
- Using an electric hand mixer, beat eggs in a medium sized bowl until light and thickened slightly.
- To this same bowl add sugar and then pour chocolate mixture in and blend.
- Add flour, vanilla, and nuts (optional). Mix well.
- Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch metal baking pan and smooth out batter evenly.
- Bake at 350° for 24-30 minutes. Start checking at 24 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Remove from oven and cool. Frost with Grandma's Chocolate Frosting.
Grandma's Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp margarine or butter
- 2 tbsp shortening
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 box powdered sugar (16 oz.)
- 3-4 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt margarine (or butter) and shortening with cocoa powder over medium heat. Keep whisking while ingredients are melting.
- In a large bowl, add 1 box of powdered sugar. Pour over melted chocolate mixture.
- Blend with an electric hand mixer.
- Once powdered sugar is almost incorporated with the chocolate mixture, add in 3 T. milk and mix well. Add another 1 T. if needed to achieve spreading consistency. Add in vanilla and blend.
- Frost cooled pan of Grandma's Dot's brownie recipe.
Family Recipes = Great Memories
We all have treasured family recipes, so we’d love to hear from you if you have one to share! If you are like me and your grandparents have passed, then there is no better way to cherish their memory on Grandparent’s Day than by making one of their recipes.
And if you are in need of last minute Grandparent’s Day gifts, Karen has you covered in this post Gifts That Will Make Grandparents Feel Loved. If you are fortunate enough to have grandparents around, then be sure and show them extra love on Grandparent’s Day!
If you are looking for more nostalgic recipes, then don’t miss Karen’s post on her mama’s peanut butter cookie recipe. And if you’d enjoy reading more about my Grandma Dot, then head over here to read about her beautiful needlepoint.
Have a good day!
Kristin
Note: This recipe is property of Kristin @whatagoodday.com. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. I’m happy for you to share this recipe, but be sure to link it to this post. Thank you.
4 Comments