Maple Nut Fudge Brownies

It’s the last weekend to plant yourself on the couch and watch the Olympics – which will require snacks. These dense, fudgy brownies are spiked with maple, making them irresistable – and a little more Canadian. Go Canada!!

Maple Nut Fudge Brownies

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp maple extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Frosting:
• 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 1 Tbsp. milk, plus more if needed
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a medium bowl, stir together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and maple extract; mix well. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; add to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Spread into a buttered 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Meanwhile, to make the frosting, beat the butter, cocoa, icing sugar, maple syrup and milk until smooth and spreadable; add extra milk if it’s too thick. Spread on cooled brownies and sprinkle with walnuts.

Makes 16 brownies.