Chocolate Amaretto Brownies

1 cup shortening
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups sugar
4 egg
2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur -- or other almond liquer
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
almonds -- handful of sliced
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons half and half
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 dash salt
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons amaretto

Melt shortening with cocoa (I use the microwave), cool. Beat eggs, gradually adding sugar. Add shortening mixture, Amaretto, salt, and flour. Beat until well mixed.

Pour batter into a lightly greased 13x9x2" baking pan. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes; cool. Frost with Amaretto Frosting, sprinkle with sliced almonds (or arrange in flowery patterns to be fancy). Cut into squares.

Amaretto Frosting: Melt butter and cocoa together (the microwave works well for this), cool. Stir in half-and-half. Add confectioner's sugar, salt, and amaretto, stirring until smooth.

AUTHOR: Charl