Orange Brownies

You read that correctly, Orange Brownies.  Not Chocolate Orange Brownies- which is the perfect combination in my opinion.  But trust me, these brownies are one of the very best things I make.  And how do I know this?  Because people ask me to make them... a lot.

The thing about these brownies is that they're kinda like an old friend to me.  We hung out a lot in the beginning of my baking ventures, and as time passed and I grew more in my baking experiences, we only saw one another here and there.  But I still keep coming back to this recipe because it never fails me.

I don't know if I've ever shared this here, but my baking "re-inspiration" came from watching Paula Deen when she first got started on Food Network.  Her food wasn't complicated, she was relatable, and her dishes always look delicious, and not to mention, comforting.  Her recipes never steered me wrong, and these Orange Brownies were proof.  Everyone adored them, and me for making them, which gave me confidence to keep on baking.  And, here I am today, with many more recipes and techniques under my belt.

Orange Brownies
adapted from Paula Deen

- 1 1/2 c. flour
- 2 c. sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 c. unsalted butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp. orange extract
- 1 tsp. orange zest (zest of small orange)

Glaze:

- 2 c. confectioners sugar

- 1/4 c. orange juice (you can use the oranges you zest, but zest first, than squeeze)

- zest of small orange

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line and 9x13 pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt.  Add butter, eggs, orange extract and zest.  With a hand mixer, combine until all the ingredients are incorporated together and you have a nice thick batter.

Pour or scoop batter into prepared pan and evenly distribute into the pan using your spatula.  Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and using a fork, poke holes on top of the entire pan of brownies.

Make glaze by whisking all glaze ingredients in a small bowl.  Pour glaze evenly over the top, using a spatula as need to distribute glaze evenly.  Place pan on wire rack and let cool before cutting and serving.

This recipe is truly the best to take to a summer gathering.  These brownies are moist and citrusy, lighter than "normal" brownies, which makes them perfect on a hot summer's day!