Amaretto Brownies

2/3 cups sliced or slivered almonds
8 oz semisweet chocolate
1/3 cup plus 3 tbsp butter
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp amaretto (could use 1 1/4 tsp almond extract)*
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tbsp milk

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease 13" x 9" pan.
3. Place half the almonds in a food processor or coffee grinder and process in pulses until ground.
4. Heat chocolate and 1/3 cup butter in large saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until melted. (Leave remaining butter out to soften.)
   
5. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in ground almonds, flour, sugar, 2 tbsp amaretto or 1 tsp extract, baking powder, eggs and salt.
6. Spread batter in pan and bake 22-27 minutes. (I stick a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, it's done.)
7. Cool brownies completely.
8. Mix powdered sugar, 3 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp amaretto or 1/4 tsp almond extract, and 1 tbsp milk until smooth. Add the extra tbsp milk if needed.

* I use the amaretto in the brownies and the almond extract in the frosting. I like the amaretto flavour better, but don't want my toddlers to ingest the alcohol in the frosting, since it doesn't get cooked away. I know, it's paranoid of me, but I'm a protective mom.