Caffeine has long been on the list of don’ts for people hoping to lead a healthy lifestyle. Doctors pointed to caffeine’s negative effects on the nervous system and how it can increase anxiety, stress and food cravings, in addition to inhibiting sleep. Recent studies, however, have shown that coffee and caffeine may actually have some significant medical benefits.

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Brownies have so much going for them; great flavor, easy to make, and so versatile. The simplest brownies are made with just melted chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and flour. Delicious, of course, but you can also take a brownie to the next level by adding a layer of frosting. And that is what we do with these Chocolate Brownies. We start with a brownie that has a deep chocolate flavor and a dense fudge-like texture and top it with a smooth and glossy Ganache frosting. This transforms it into a dessert so good that I am not sure whether we should call it a square or a candy.

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