Fruit-Filled Brownies . 
Posted By : Shaz Tue, 13 Apr 2004, at 12:26 p.m


2/3 cup shortening
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Apricot or peach preserves or orange marmalade

Quick Chocolate Frosting -- (recipe follows)

QUICK CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1 (4 ounce) bar sweet cooking chocolate
Heat oven to 350º. Line jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 × 1 inch, with aluminum foil; grease. Heat shortening and chocolate in 3-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Remove from heat; beat in sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Spread in pan.
Bake until slight indentation remains when touched, about 20 minutes; cool.
Remove brownies from pan; remove aluminum foil. Cut 1/4-inch strip from each long side of brownies; cut 3/4-inch strip from each end. Discard strips. Cut remaining piece crosswise into halves. Spread 1 half with preserves; top with remaining half. Spread top with Quick Chocolate Frosting. Cut into bars, about 2 × 1 inch.
QUICK CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
Heat chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted.


TIP
Cut thoroughly cooled brownies with a plastic knife or table knife for smooth-sided bars.