Fudgy Patriotic Brownies

• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 5 to 6 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red, white and blue decorating icing

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Combine flour and salt; stir into chocolate mixture until combined. Stir in pecans.
2. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake at 325u0b0 for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
3. For frosting, in a small heavy saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat; stir until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until blended.
4. Frost brownies; score into 24 bars. Using a small star-shaped cookie cutter, lightly press a star outline in the center of each brownie. Outline stars with red, white and blue icing.

butter, chocolate, sugar, vanilla, eggs, flour, salt, pecans, butter, chocolate, sugar, milk, vanilla, red

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fudgy-patriotic-brownies/ (may not work)