Almond Joy Brownies

Okay, so you could call these "Mounds Brownies" since I didn't actually add almonds, but that doesn't evoke the same vision of heavenly sweetness that an almond JOY candy bar does. Feel free to add chopped almonds to the brownies or sliced almonds on top of the coconut or even sprinkled on top of the frosting. And yes, these are as amazing as they look! So please, do NOT attempt to make these if you will be alone with them in your house for very long. Share with your friends and loved ones!

Mom's Brownies (Richard's mom)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 7x11 or 9x9 inch pan. Combine butter and sugar, then beat in eggs, vanilla, and salt. Stir in flour and cocoa just until well blended. Fold in nuts. Turn in prepared pan and bake for 25-29 minutes.

Coconut Filling
5 cups shredded, sweetened coconut
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Combine and spread over cooled brownies.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2-4 Tablespoons milk

Beat butter and cocoa. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat well, adding milk 1 Tbsp at a time until smooth and spreadable.