My husband declared these Hall of Fame! He says it's the orange essence that did it. I normally go for the box because I've been disappointed by made-from-scatch brownies. Not these. These are worth the extra effort, which by the way isn't much effort. If you can crack a couple of eggs, pour in water and oil for a box mix you're half way to these brownies.
double chocolate orange brownies (Taste of Home)
3/4 cup butter, cubed
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and chocolate in a microwave proof bowl. Stir until smooth. Cool slightly In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar. Combine the two mixtures. Add orange extract, orange zest, extracts and flour. Pour into a prepared 13x9 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake. Cool completely and cut into 2 dozen brownies.