Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Brownie Delight

INGREDIENTS

SERVINGS: 18 UNITS

COOK TIME TOTAL: 50 MINS

• 1 cup shortening

• 9 tablespoons cocoa or 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

• 2 cups sugar

• 4 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 11 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1 (12 ounce) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided

• 2 cups milk, cold

• 1 (4 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix

• 1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt shortening and chocolate or cocoa in microwave and transfer to mixing bowl.

2. Blend in sugar, eggs and vanilla.

3. Add flour, salt and baking powder.

4. Pour into a 9x13 pan, with bottom only greased.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

6. Cool completely.

7. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar till smooth and light.

8. Fold in 2 cups of whipped topping.

9. Spread over brownies.

10. In another bowl, combine milk and pudding mix.

11. Whisk till smooth and thickening.

12. Refrigerate 5 minutes, then spread over cream cheese layer.

13. Top with remaining whipped topping.

14. Sprinkle with pecans if desired.

15. Keep refrigerated.