Boreal Forest Cranberry Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen-no need to thaw)
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (jellied)
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice (see note)
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. 1

   NOTE: to make cranberry juice for icing (if you don't have bottle juice on hand) simmer cranberries for brownies a few minutes in 1/8 cup water. Drain and reserve liquid and use berries in brownies.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 350°F Coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

3. 3

   Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

4. 4

   Melt 1 cup butter in large saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup cocoa powder. Add 2 cups sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoons almond extract; stir until well blended.

5. 5

   Stir chocolate mixture into flour mixture. Add cranberries and nuts and mix just until blended.

6. 6

   Pour batter into baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

7. 7

   Cool completely and frost.

8. 8

   FROSTING: Melt 3 tbls. butter in small saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoons almond extract, cranberry sauce and juice; stir well.

9. 9

   Add confectioners' sugar; mix until well blended.