Orange brownies recipe

It’s so hard to describe this recipe…it has the chewy kind of texture of a brownie, yet has the density of a cake. This is probably one of the strangest recipes that I’ve ever made but it’s quite enjoyable. The orange flavoring is so refreshing on a smoldering summer day. This recipe is courtesy of Paula Deen from the Food Network.

INGREDIENTS:

For the cake:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
4 eggs
2 teaspoons pure orange extract
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 recipe Orange Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
1 each orange, cut in half, sliced into half moons (optional)

For the orange cream cheese frosting:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
4 Tablespoons softened butter
1 (1-pound) box confectioner’s sugar
2 Tablespoons orange zest
2 Tablespoons orange juice

PROCEDURE:

For the cake:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.

2. Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl.

3. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest. Using an electric mixer beat until well blended.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Meanwhile make the frosting.

For the frosting:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whip the butter and cream cheese together using an electric mixer.

2. Gradually beat in the confectioner’s sugar until it is all combined and smooth.

3. Beat in the orange zest and juice. Set aside.

To finish the brownies:

1. Remove the brownies from the oven. Allow to cool and pierce the entire cake with a fork.

2. Spread the orange cream cheese frosting over completely cooled brownies. Top with orange slices if desired. Cut into squares.

source:http://www.examiner.com