Mock Little Debbie's Brownies

 You can make these cosmic (colorful hard candies) or nutty.  Sadly they no longer make the nutty ones.

MOCK LITTLE DEBBIE'S BROWNIES

(makes 16)

Brownie Ingredients:

*3/4 cup (12 tablespoons) butter

*3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 

*1 cup granulated sugar

*1/2 cup brown sugar

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk

*1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

*1 teaspoon cornstarch

*1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingrediens:

*1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

*1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

*1/3 cup heavy cream

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1/8 teaspoon salt

*2 tablespoons candy coated pieces or finely chopped walnuts

Brownie Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray and lightly flour.

~Place 3/4 cup butter in a large microwave safe bowl and melt.

~Stir in 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa.

~Add 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar and stir until well incorporated.

~Stir in 2 large eggs,  one at a time and stir.

~Stir in 1 large egg yolk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

~Add 1 1/14 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt, stir until well combined.

~Pour into prepared pan and spread out evenly to edges.

~Place into preheated oven and bake for 16-19 minutes.

~Remove from oven and cool completely.

Frosting Directions:

~In a small saucepan, add 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips,  1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, 1/8 teapspoon salt, and 1/3 cup heavy cream.

~Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often (so mixture doesn't burn), until chocolate chips are melted.

~Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

~Allow to cool for 1 minute and then pour over brownies.

~Spread evenly over brownies.

~Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of candy coated pieces or finely chopped walnuts.

Decadent Chocolate Brownies & Caramel Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

 These brownies are so good.  The frosting just makes it even better.   

DECADENT CHOCOLATE FROSTING WITH

CARAMEL  MARSHMALLOW BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

(serves 24)

Brownie Ingredients:

*1 1/4 cups butter

*1 (8 ounce) bar semi-sweet chocolate

*3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (dutch is best)

*2 teaspoon instant coffee

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

*1 1/2  teaspoons salt

*6 large eggs, room temperature 

*1 cup all-purpose flour

Frosting Ingredients:

*2 cups butter, softened

*2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

*1/2 teaspoon almond extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 (14 ounce) jar of marshmallow cream (I make my own marshmallow cream/fluff)

*10 soft Kraft caramels (or use store bought caramel sauce)

*2 teaspoons heavy cream (only if you are making your own caramel sauce)

Brownie Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9X13 inch pan with cooking spray or grease with butter.

~Line with parchment paper (I only do this if I'm taking all the brownie out and plating them).

~In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup cocoa powder and instant coffee until well mixed.

~Stir in chopped chocolate.

~Melt butter until it's almost at a boil, stirring often.

~Pour melted butter over chocolate and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.

~Stir mixture until chocolate is melted.

~Set aside.

~In a large mixing bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs until light and fluffy  on high speed (8-10 minutes).

~Pour melted chocolate mixture into mixing bowl, and beat until well combined and smooth.

~Sift flour and remaining unsweetened cocoa into batter.

~Gently fold flour into mixture until just combined (do not over mix).

~Pour batter into prepared pan.

~Bake for 20 minutes.

~Remove from oven a lightly drop pan on top of stove or counter top (yes, you heard me right).

~Return to oven and bake for another 20 minutes (the edges will look cooked, but not the center).

~Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Frosting Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, cream butter until light yellow and soft and fluffy.

~Add in the powdered sugar and mix until all the lumps are Gond and mixture is smooth.

~Stir in almond extract.

~Add Marshmallow cream and mix until well incorporated and smooth.

~Spread desired amount of frosting on cooled brownies.

~In a microwaveable bowl, add caramels and heavy cream.

~Microwave until caramels are melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

~Drizzle caramel over top of frosting.

~Sprinkle lightly with flakey sea salt (optional).

Pumpkin Brownies

 I didn't think I'd like chocolate and pumpkin together, but boy was I wrong.   It's really tasty.  

PUMPKIN BROWNIES

(serves 24)

Brownie Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter, melted

*2 large eggs, room temperature

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1/2 cup all-purpose flour

*1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/4 teaspoon baking powder

*1 (11.5 ounce bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips

*1/2 cup pecans (halved or chopped)

Pumpkin Ingredients:

*3/4 cup butter, melted

*1 cup granulated sugar

*1 cup pumpkin puree

*3 large eggs, room temperature

*1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

*3/4 cup all purpose flour

*1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

*1/4 teaspoon baking powder

*1/4 teaspoon salt

Brownie Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray (I also line mine with parchment paper).

~In a medium mixing bowl, whisk sugar, vanilla extract and melted butter together.

~Whisk in eggs one at a time.

~Sift in flour, unsweetened cocoa, salt, and baking powder.

~Stir chocolate chips into flour mixture.

~Stir into wet ingredients, until just mixed.

Pumpkin Directions:

~Whisk the butter, sugar, vanilla extract and pumpkin puree together until smooth.

~Whisk in eggs one at a time.

~Whisk in flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking powder.

~Stir until just mixed.

~Pour pumpkin mixture into brownie mixture and mix until  just mixed. 

~Pour into prepared pan.

~Sprinkle pecans over top of brownies.

~Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

~Allow to cool before cutting.

Nutella Filled Brownies

 The chocolate and hazel nut goes so well together.   Easy to make.   You could even do this with a 9x13 brownie mix if you want to make it easier.   

NUTELLA FILLED BROWNIES

(makes 16)

Ingredient: 

*1/2 (ounce) container of Nutella or any hazel nut spread

*1/2 cup vegetable oil

*1/2 cup butter, melted

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*4 large eggs

*1 cup all-purpose flour

*2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa (I like using dutch chocolate)

*1/2 teaspoon baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 cup chocolate chips (optional) (or use white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips)

Directions:

~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.

~Spread Nutella evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan.

~Place pan in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~In a large mixing bowl, whisk vegetable oil, melted butter, and sugar together until well mixed.

~Whisk in eggs, one at a time, until well combined.

~Sift in flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt into wet ingredients.

~Remove pan from freezer.

~Removed frozen nutella.

~Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into pan.

~Place frozen nutella back into pan.

~Spread remaining brownie batter over frozen nutella.

~Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until brownies begin to pull away from he edges of the pan.

Nutella Chocolate Chip Brownies

 A great last minutes dessert.  Easy and quick to make.

                                              

NUTELLA CHOCOLATE CHIP BROWNIES 

(makes 8)

Ingredients:

*1/3 cup butter softened

*1/2 cup light brown sugar 

*2 large eggs, room temperature 

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 cup nutella

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*3/4 cup all-purpose flour

*1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

*1/4 cup nutella 

*sea salt (optional)

*1/4 cup caramel sauce (optional)

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 8x8 baking pan with cooking spay.

~In a medium mixing bowl, beat 1/3 cup butter until smooth and creamy.

~Add 1/2 cup brown sugar and mix until well incorporated.

~Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 large eggs.

~Mix in 1 cup nutella until mixed in well.

~Stir in 3/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt until just combined.

~Fold in 1/2 cup  chocolate chips.

~Pour into prepared pan.

~Put 1/4 cup nutella on top of brown mix and take a knife to swirl the nutella into brownie mixture.

~Sprinkle desired amount of sea salt over top of brownies.

~Bake for 35-38 minutes, or until done (toothpick comes out clean when inserted into brownies).

~Drizzle 1/4 cup caramel sauce over top of warm brownies (optional)

~Allow to cool completely before cutting.

Rocky Road Brownies

If you love chocolate, you are going to love these.  If you don't have unsweetened chocolate squares you can melt 4 tablespoons of butter and then mix in 12 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa, until the cocoa is dissolved.  Then follow the recipe as directed from butter on down.

                                      

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIES

(serves 12-16)

Brownie Ingredients:

*4 ounces unsweetened chocolate squares, roughly chopped

*1 cup butter

*4 large eggs

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

*1 cup all purpose flour

*1/8 teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients:

*2 ounces unsweetened chocolate squares, roughly chopped

*1 cup butter

*1/2 cup egg beaters

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*1 pound, powder sugar, sifted

*3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

*4 cups mini marshmallows

Brownie Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9xx13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

~Melt butter and chocolate over medium-low heat until chocolate in melted, stirring often.

~Remove from heat.

~Stir in sugar, vanilla and eggs and mix until well mixed.

~Sift flour and salt into mixture and stir until mixed, but don't over mix.

~Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Frosting Directions:

~While brownies are baking, start making the frosting.

~Melt butter and chocolate over medium-low heat until chocolate in melted, stirring often.

~Add egg beaters, vanilla and sifted powered sugar and stir until smooth.

~Stir in chopped walnuts and marshmallows. 

~Spread over hot brownies as soon as they come out of the oven.

~Cut when brownies are completely cooled.

~Store leftovers in  refrigerator.  

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Brownies

Peanut Butter and Chocolate are one of my favorite mixtures.  I normally will add Heath Toffee Bits to it, but you can add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, mint chips or omit them all together.

CHOCOALTE-PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES

(serves 16)

Chocolate Layer Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter

*1 cup granulated sugar

*2 large eggs

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

*1/2 cup all-purpose flour

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/4 teaspoon baking powder

*3/4 cup Heath English Toffee Bits

Peanut Butter Layer Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter

*2 large eggs

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*1 cup all-purpose flour

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

*1/2 cup Heath English Toffee Bits

Chocolate Layer Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Coat a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.

~Melt butter and pour into a mixing bowl.

~Stir in sugar until well mixed.

~Add eggs and vanilla extract.

~Beat in unsweetened cocoa, flour, salt and baking powder, just until mixed (do not over mix).

~Spread batter into prepared pan.

~Sprinkle toffee bits over chocolate layer.

Peanut Butter Layer Directions:

~Melt butter and pour into a mixing bowl.

~Stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla extract.

~Add flour, salt and peanut butter and mix until just mixed (do not over mix).

~Gently spread batter over top of chocolate layer.
~Sprinkle remaining toffee bits over peanut butter layer.
~Bake for 25-30 minutes or until brownies are done.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

If you like chocolate peanut butter cups and chocolate, you are going to love this recipe.  I can't make it unless I make it for a party, because I'd probably eat way more than any one person should.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
(serves 24)

Brownie Ingredients:
*8 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
*1 cup butter
*1 teaspoon instant coffee
*5 large eggs
*3 cups granulated sugar
*1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Peanut Butter Filling Ingredients:
*3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
*1/2 cup butter
*1/8 teaspoon salt
*2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
*3 tablespoons whole milk
*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:
*1 cup milk chocolate chips
*1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
*1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

Brownie Directions:
~Preheat oven 350 degrees.
~Spray a 9x13 inch glass baking pan with cooking spray.
~Place chocolate & butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
~Microwave on high until the chocolate & butter is melted, stirring every 30 seconds.
~Remove from microwave and stir in instant coffee.
~In a mixing bowl, place eggs, sugar & vanilla in it.
~Beat on high for 2 minutes.
~Reduce speed to low, beat in chocolate mixture.
~Beat in flour and salt until just combined.
~Pour into prepared pan.
~Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until brownies are done.
~Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Peanut Butter Filling Directions:
~In a large bowl, beat peanut butter, butter and salt together until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
~Reduce speed to low and add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.  I add a small bit of the powdered sugar & milk at a time, mixing well between each addition.
~Spread over cooled brownies.

Chocolate Frosting Directions:
~Melt the milk chocolate & semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter together in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 20 seconds, until chips are melted and smooth.
~Pour chocolate mixture evenly over top of the peanut butter layer.
~Refrigerate and allow chocolate to set 30-45 minutes.

Peanut-Butter Chocolate Brownies

This recipe gives your tongue all the different flavors it craves.  Salty, sweet, chocolate and peanut butter.   What else could you want?  I really love the pretzel crust.

PRETZEL-PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
(serves 20)

Pretzel Crust Ingredients:

*4 cups pretzels

*3/4 cup butter
*1/2 cup sugar

Brownie Ingredients:
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*1/2 cup melted butter
*1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
*2 cups white sugar
*4 eggs
*1 cup all-purpose flour
*2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
*1/2 teaspoon baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon salt

Peanut Butter Cream Ingredients:

*1 cup creamy peanut butter

*1/2 cup butter, room temperature

*1-3 tablespoon whole milk

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:

*1/2 cup heavy cream

*6 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate chips (I use mini, for easier melting)

Pretzel Crust Directions:

~Crush pretzels in a bag or food processor (do not process into a powder).

~Melt butter in microwave.

~Mix the butte & sugar into the crushed pretzels.

~Press the pretzel mixture into a 9x13 inch pan.

~Bake for 10 minutes.

~Remove from oven and let cool.

Brownie Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Mix instant coffee into melted butter, until coffee is dissolved.

~In a medium bowl, mix together oil, coffee-butter, sugar & vanilla.

~Beat in eggs one at a time.

~Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder & salt.

~Slowly stir into the egg mixture until just blended.

~Spread evenly over pretzel crust.

~Bake for 25-30 minutes.

~Cool completely.

Peanut Butter Cream Directions:

~In a medium mixing bowl, beat the peanut butter, butter & powdered sugar until well incorporated & smooth.

~Add enough milk to make it spreadable.

~Spread on top of brownies when they are cooled.

Chocolate Frosting Directions:

~Heat heavy cream in a microwavable bowl, for around 30 seconds, or until it starts to boil.

~Remove from microwave and whisk in chocolate chips, until they are melted and mixture becomes shiny.

~Spread over peanut butter cream.

~Let set for about 1/2, cut and serve.

Rocky Road Brownie Bites

These are so good.  I make homemade brownies with this recipe, but you can buy the box type.   I just personally think that homemade are moister and gooier and tastier.  :-)

ROCKY ROAD BROWNIES BITES
(makes 48)

Brownie Ingredients:
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*1/2 cup butter, melted
*1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
*2 cups white sugar
*4 eggs
*1 cup all-purpose flour
*2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
*1/2 teaspoon baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon salt

Rocky Road Ingredients:
*4 cups mini marshmallows
*4 tablespoons butter
*1 1/2 cups peanuts, chopped
*1 cup chocolate chips
*Merkins chocolate or milk chocolate chips

Brownie Bites Directions:
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with a cooking spray.
~MIx instant coffee into melted butter, until coffee is dissolved.
~In a large bowl, mix together oil, butter mixture, sugar & vanilla.
~Beat in eggs one at a time.
~Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder & salt.
~Slowly stir into the egg mixture until just blended.
~Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
~Fill each muffin cup about 1/2 way full.
~Bake for 12-14 minutes.
~Remove from oven.
~Let sit for about 5 minutes, and then gently remove from muffin pan.
~Cool completely.

Rocky Road Directions:
~In a large bowl, microwave the marshmallows and buyer until puffy, about 2 minutes.
~Quickly stir in chopped peanuts.
~Fold in chocolate chips.
~Working quickly, use a spoon or your fingers (I find this easier), and scoop about a tablespoon of rocky road mixture on the top of each brownie.
~Place brownies on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
~Melt merkins chocolate or milk chocolate chips over a double boiler over low heat.
~Once chocolate is melted, dip each brownie into the chocolate covering the rocky road mixture.
~Let sit in refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate hardens up.

If you more brownies than rocky road like I did, just dip them in the melted chocolate or leave plain.

Brownies

Moist and chewy.   I think these are great for 'brownie ice cream sundaes'.  Make sure you don't over bake them.

BROWNIES
(serves 16)

Ingredients:
*1/2 cup vegetable oil
*1/2 cup melted butter
*1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
*2 cup white sugar
*4 eggs
*1 cup all-purpose flour
*2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
*1/2 teaspoon baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
~Spray a 9x13 inch pan
~Mix instant coffee into melted butter, until coffee is dissolved.
~In a medium bowl, mix together oil, coffee-butter sugar & vanilla.
~Beat in eggs one at a time.
~Comine flour, cocoa, baking powder & salt.
~Slowly stir into the egg mixture until just blended.
~Stir in walnuts.
~Spread evenly into prepared pan.
~Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until brownies begin to pull away from the edges of the pan.

Turtle Brownies

Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! This is a real crowd pleaser. They are decant, gooey and delicious.

TURTLE BROWNIES

(serves 24)

Ingredients:

*1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped kraft caramels.

*1 (12 fluid ounces) can evaporated milk

*1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix (not pudding type)

*6 tablespoons butter, melted

*1 cup milk chocolate chips

*1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

~Unwrap 1 (14 ounce) package caramels and place in saucepan with 2 tablespoons evaporated milk.

~Melt over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.

~In a large bowl, combine the remaining 12 ounce can evaporated milk, 1 (18.25 ounce) chocolate cake mix, and 6 tablespoons melted butter.

~Stir until well blended.

~Spread half of the cake mixture in baking pan.

~Bake 10 minutes.

~Remove from oven.

~Sprinkle 1 cup milk chocolate chips over top of baked brownies.

~Drizzle melted caramels over the top of chocolate chips.

~Sprinkle 1/2 cup pecans over caramel.

~Drop remaining cake mixture by teaspoonfuls all over baked brownies.

~Return to the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Fudgy Brownies

These a thick, rich & fudgy.  You will only need a small piece to take care of your chocolate craving.

FUDGY BROWNIES
(makes 32)

Brownie Ingredients:
*8 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
*1 cup butter
*1 teaspoon instant coffee
*5 large eggs
*3 cups white sugar
*1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
*1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*2 cups walnuts, chopped

Frosting Ingredients:
*1 1/4 cups white sugar
*1 cup half & half
*5 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
*1/2 teaspoon instant coffee
*1/2 cup butter, softened
*1/8 teaspoon salt
*1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Brownie Directions:
~Preheat oven to 375 degrees (350 if using a glass pan).
~Spray cooking spray in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
~Put 8 (1 ounce) squares chocolate and 1 cup  butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
~Microwave on high until the chocolate and butter is melted, stirring every 30 seconds.
~Remove from microwave and stir in 1 teaspoon instant coffee.
~In a mixing bowl, place 5 large eggs, s3 cups granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon pure  vanilla extract.
~Beat on high for 2 minutes.
~Reduce speed of mixer to low, beat in chocolate mixture.
~Stir in 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt just until combined.
~Stir in 2 cups chopped walnuts.
~Pour into prepared pan.
~Bake for 35-40 minutes.
~Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Frosting Directions:
~Combine 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1 cup half & half in a saucepan over medium heat.
~Stir until the sugar dissolves and the milk mixture begins to simmer.
~Reduce heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for 7 minutes, without stirring.
~Remove from heat.
~Stir in 5 (1 ounce) squares chocolate, 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee and 1/2 cup softened butter, stirring to melt and mix throughly.
~Add 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
~Whisk until smooth.
~Place frosting in refrigerator and stir every 5 minutes, until frosting is chilled and thickens (about 30-40 minutes)
~Frost the brownies & cut into squares.

Helpful Hint:
`if you don't have unsweetend chocolate squares

Variation:
-If you want thinner brownies, use a jelly roll pan and bake about 25 minutes (makes about 50).