Skillet Cocoa Brownies

Sweet and satisfying, these Skillet Cocoa Brownies are good enough to please any hungry teen, especially mine!

You see, today at exactly 5:11 AM marked the 14th year of my son’s life here on earth. I can hardly believe it. And yes, I say this every year — that time really does go by so incredibly fast. I vividly remember the day he was born, when he first smiled, when he first started talking, when he took his first step, and the list goes on and on!

And one thing I will never forget, is simply just him; as a baby, toddler, kid, and now a teen. He is an incredible person, with whom I fell in love with the moment he was conceived. He has bright spirit, big heart and a kindness about him that makes me wonder where he got it from. He is honest, responsible and super smart. I love this kid with my entire being — he lives within my heart and I am proud that he calls me mom.

A few weeks ago he asked if he could drive my car! What! Where did that come from? Drive, well it just seems like yesterday when he was zooming around in his fire engine pedal car, he then progressed to his bike, then next he became king of the garden fearlessly driving our ride-on tractor/mower.

And now he wants the keys to my car? No. Stop growing up. Stop it. Can you hear me? And also, strop growing – in height that is, the kiddo is now taller than me and soon will be taller than dad. The doctor told us that he will probably be 6′-2″ — lucky guy!

So what do you make an ever-changing, ever-growing, always hungry 14-year old? Yep, a big old skillet of cocoa brownies. He loves the sweet stuff, child after my own heart, and I so enjoy making all kinds of treats for him on special occasions, or pretty much any day!

Two years ago for his birthday I made him these Marshmallow Toffee Brownies and then last year I made him this Teenage Crush S’mores Overload Cake. Both had a chocolate base filled with lots of gooey additions and definitely incredibly irresistible. But to celebrate this year, I opted for a more simple and basic brownie recipe, since that his what he likes best.

These Skillet Cocoa Brownies are dark, rich and oh, so good! They are dense, yet moist on the inside and they have a bit of crunch on the top, not sure if that’s because they are baked in a skillet — but no matter how you slice and eat them, they’re darn delicious!

Skillet Cocoa Brownies

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1-1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup flour

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9-inch cast iron skillet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In the top of a double boiler (placed over simmering water) add the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool until warm.

Stir in the vanilla then add the eggs one at a time, beating with a spoon to fully incorporate after each one. Add the flour and stir until completely combined. Pour into prepared skilled and spread evenly with a spatula.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center has moist crumbs attached. Let cool on a rack, sprinkle with confectioners sugar (if desired) and cut into large squares and eat!

Happy Birthday to my favorite boy in the whole wide world! Indulge, if you like, in this entire pan of Skillet Cocoa Brownies — I’ll even make a second batch if you so choose!

Love you, forever and a day! xxoo, Mom