Christmas Jewel

Here’s my first attempt at:

Gluten-free Brownies

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Mine’s homemade, so I know it’s gluten-free)

3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa

3 large eggs

3/4 cup brown rice flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts, optional (We skipped the nuts)
1 tablespoon cinnamon, also optional (Didn't skip this)

Preheat oven to 350F. Place sugar, butter, and salt in saucepan. Heat, stirring until butter melts. Transfer mixture to a bowl; blend in the vanilla and cocoa, then add the eggs and mix until shiny. Blend in rice flour and baking powder. Stir in the chips (and nuts). Pour the batter into greased, parchment-covered 9” pan, spreading to the edges. Bake brownies about 35 minutes, until the top is almost set. Remove from oven and cool at least 15 minutes. Pull brownies – parchment and all – out of pan and place on counter before cutting. Makes 16 brownies.