Orange Brownies

My family loves these citrus brownies. They're a fun and tasty alternative to the usual chocolate variety and there is just something irresistible about the bright orange flavor!

These are by no means a healthy treat! Not even close. But, you can cut them into small squares and just enjoy one or two. Or, just don't worry about it and enjoy them for what they are... a simple, quick, yummy, dessert! :)

Orange Brownies

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar*
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
4 eggs
2 teaspoons pure orange extract**
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and set aside. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter, eggs, orange extract, and orange zest and beat with a handheld electric mixer until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven and pierce top of entire cake with a fork.

Glaze:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring until smooth. Pour glaze over cake. Cool cake and cut into squares.

* You could probably get away with using 1 1/2 of sugar.

** When I make these I double the orange zest and use real orange juice instead of extract. Just personal preference. Juice from half an orange should do.