for the love of brownies

Besides my unfailing love for Pepsi (as you read last week), those who really know me know that I have another true love. It's brownies. Especially "my" brownies, which I of course make from scratch. I have a killer recipe that is pretty much unbeatable.

However, I have been known to mess them up a time or two. Tonight was one of those times. Bummer. I was really looking forward to overindulging myself in the yumminess of brownies. Really, I have made these loads of times, so you would think that I would never break the cardinal commandments of brownie making:

#1
Thou shalt not use a box. Some box brownies are "alright," but the best ones are from scratch.
#2
Thou shalt not melt your butter in the microwave. It can't be frozen, but it also can't be accidentally melted in the microwave either.
#3
Thou shalt use the best cocoa. Sorry, but Hershey's is the best.
#4
Thou shalt not over mix. Overmixing brownie batter makes the brownies cakey. Not fudgey and ooey-gooey, like they ought to be.
#5
Thou shalt use a Pampered Chef stone. I know, I'm a Pampered Chef brat, but they really bake the best.
#6
Thou shalt not overbake. The center can't be batter, but it has to be a little wiggly.
#7
Thou shalt use frosting. Of course brownies need frosting! The only time a brownie doesn't need it is when you are eating one with ice cream and hot fudge.
#8
Thou shalt not put the frosting on prematurely. I don't know why. Trust me. It just makes them weird. Make sure the brownies are completely cooled.
#9
Thou shalt lick the brownie batter clean off the bowl...and spatula...and Kitchen Aid mixer thing. Salmonella? psh. I think someone made that up.

and finally...
#10
Thou shalt not let Danny cut out his own brownie. If you do, then this is what will happen - see photo below. (Actually, I'm a little proud—at least he used a spatula, and furthermore, he knows the center is the best part. I taught him well.)