Ho-Ho Brownies

Ingredients

Base

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or milk soured with lemon juice

White Layer

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 dash salt
• 1/2 cup Crisco
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Frosting

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• Chopped nutmeats (optional)

Instructions

Base

1. Boil water, cocoa and butter until slightly thick.
2. Mix sugar, eggs, flour, baking soda, vanilla extract and salt with buttermilk or milk soured with lemon juice. Add to cocoa mixture.
3. Bake in jellyroll pan at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Let cool.

White Layer

1. Beat first six ingredients together for at least 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
2. Add the 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar or more and beat well.
3. Spread on cooled brownie layer and refrigerate.

Frosting

1. Boil sugar, butter and milk for 1 1/2 minutes.
2. Add chocolate chips. Beat while cooling in ice water.
3. Spread onto brownies and sprinkle nuts on top, if desired.