Fudgy Orange Brownies

I was thinking about what to make for a party I was attending later one night.  I was thinking about brownies, and as I picked up a box of oranges I just bought, a stroke of genius occurred!  ORANGE brownies--of course!  Why had I never thought of this before?  I combined my favorite super-moist brownie recipe with orange zest, and VOILA, a new favorite was born!  Enjoy!

Fudgy Orange Brownies

3/4 cup cocoa
1 cup butter, melted
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
Zest from two oranges

Optional:
1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans or other nuts
Powdered sugar sprinkled on top

Suggestion:  Hersheys makes a Special Dark cocoa powder that I think would be amazing in this recipe!  Next time I'm going to try it with dark cocoa powder and chocolate chips.

1. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla for 1-2 minutes or until light and lemon-colored.
2. Add melted butter and cocoa.  Beat together.
3. Add orange zest and mix thoroughly.
4. Add flour and mix just until combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts if desired.
6. Transfer to a greased 9 x 13 baking pan.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs.