Notting Hill Brownies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13 inch pan lightly with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment paper.

In a mixer, blend melted butter with white and brown sugars, then add vanilla and eggs. Blend well on slow speed.

In a separate bowl, stir together cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt. Fold into batter and blend well, scraping bottom of mixing bowl to ensure ingredients are evenly combined. Fold in nuts (if using).

Pour or spoon into prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet (this protects bottoms from over baking while top bakes). Bake until done (35-40 minutes). Brownies will be set and slightly firm but not dry.

Cool, then freeze one hour before cutting. Unmold before cutting. Peel off parchment paper. Cut into large blocks. Wrap each in wax paper and keep frozen or refrigerated.

NOTE: Inspired by "the brownie scene" in the movie "Notting Hill." The characters compete for the last brownie left over from dinner. This brownie is a mega brownie. The directors must have had the props people bake up something very large so that the camera would not miss it. Huge. Perhaps 3 inches tall. My version of the Notting Hill brownie is high and dense. Chewy, but not mucky. They do not require icing.