It was a dark and stormy day when I came home to discover our pet fish, Fluffy, had done a nose dive in his wine glass home and tragically perished. As everyone mourned his loss I felt compelled to bake the perfect pick-me-up: dorm room brownies. These brownies are loaded with enough butter and chocolate to comfort anyone and soothe the pain of losing a loved one — or just getting back a prelim. All ingredients are available in the grocery section of Bear Necessities.

Serves 16

Active prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

• 1 bag chocolate chips
• 2 1/2 sticks butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp instant coffee (optional)
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 bag chocolate chips or 3-4 large candy or chocolate bars, chopped

Set oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 13-in by 9-in by 2-in baking pan.

Mix butter and the bag of chocolate chips then microwave for blasts of 30 seconds, stirring in between until melted. Whisk in the sugar, salt and coffee. Let cool then whisk in the eggs.

Stir together the flour, baking powder and chocolate chips or chopped candy bars. Stir the dry mix into the wet in three additions. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Place brownies in the preheated oven and reduce the temperate to 350 degrees. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool before cutting and enjoy!