Y'all know I'm just nuts about the pairing of Maker's Mark and chocolate. Yesterday, I made these simple brownies; they're full of rich chocolate-bourbon flavor, but remarkably light. The chocolate chips and pecans added a great texture. It was a fantastic quick recipe for a rainy Sunday!

2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and divided
1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoon Maker's Mark
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup pecan halves (optional)

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Stir together cocoa and baking soda in large bowl; stir in 1/3 cup butter. Add boiling water; stir until mixture thickens. Stir in sugar, eggs and remaining 1/3 cup butter; stir until smooth. Add flour, bourbon and salt; blend completely. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan. Top with pecan halves, if desired

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares. Makes 24 to 36 brownies.