Rob’s brownie request

These brownies are right up Rob’s alley! These are very thick and extra chocolatey because they are filled with chocolate chips, sprinkled with chocolate chips and powdered sugar on top! I think my hubby was quite pleased with how his request turned out! Of course, he only eats one, so the rest come to work with me!

Oooooohhhhh!!!
  • Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • 2/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp chocolate extract
  • 1 cup flour
  • Dash salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions – preheat oven to 350 for 20 minutes. Line and 8×8 pan with tin foil and spray with baking spray. Combine butter and cocoa. Add eggs and extract. Blend in sugar, brown sugar. Add flour and salt. Blend in chips. Mixture will be thick. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Sprinkle warm brownies with extra chocolate chips and gently press down into brownies. Then Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Store in covered container.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you try these brownies, let me know how you like them! Have a wonderful day and know that you matter and have so much to give to this world!

Cake mix cookies stuffed with brownies

And topped with melted Hershey kisses!

It is 90 plus degrees and humid today, so I decided to bake cookies for work tomorrow. Nothing like making the AC work even more! I had made some brownies for my mother in law and wound up with quite a few leftover. So I decided I would stuff them in cake mix cookies. I went with a white cake mix, but feel free to use whatever flavor you like. One of my friends and co-workers, James, called the brownies probably one of the best things I have made. Quite a compliment! I used my spruced up brownie mix recipe that you can find on the blog. You can use a mix or whatever your favories recipe is.

Remember to preheat your oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes before baking so that your oven cycles to the right temperature.

  • Ingredients
  • Brownies, prepared as directed and completely cooled, and cut into 1 inch squares
  • 1 cake mix
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 tbs water

Directions – mix well. Line a cookie sheet with nonstick baking liners or parchment paper.

Scoop put 1 1/2 tbs dough and slightly flatten
Place a brownie square on top
Scoop out another 1 1/2 tbs dough, slightly flatten and place on top of brownie
Completely cover brownie
Stagger on prepared cookie sheet

Bake 9 to 10 minutes (they will be lightly golden on bottom). Sprinkle hot cookies with powdered sugar.

Store in covered container.

Brownie stuffed cake mix cookies, topped with melted Hershey kisses

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you try these cookies, let me know how they turn out. Have a wonderful day. Wishing you peace, love and joy. And remember to be kind. Everyone os fighting a battle.

Spruced up brownie mix brownies

Nothing wrong with using a good old brownie mix!

I got a late request for brownies with chocolate chips from my president taste tester, Rob. So I grabbed a brownie mix and was looking to spruce it up. I know you can make various substitutions (melted butter for oil; cold coffee, milk or heavy cream for water), so I did that here. I also added some baking cocoa and chocolate extract.

Thursday night treats!

Remember to preheat your oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes before baking. Also, line your pan with tin foil and spray it with baking spray. I like to do this with brownies and bar cookies because it keeps the edges softer.

  • Ingredients
  • 1 brownie mix
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 1/2 cup oil or melted butter
  • 1 tsp chocolate or vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions – preheat oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Line a 9×13 pan with tin foil and spray with baking spray. Set aside. In a bowl, combine brownie mix, baking cocoa, eggs, cream, oil and extract. Blend in chocolate chips. Evenly spread into lined pan. Bake 13 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Sprinkle hot brownies with powdered sugar. Cool completely. Store in covered container.

Topped with a dusting of powdered sugar

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you try these, let me know how they turn out. Also remember to be kind. We are all battling something. And some days, the burden people carry can be great. Wishing you peace, joy and love.

Black and White Brownie cookies (aka half moon cookies)

Black and white brownie/half moon cookies

I know the classic black and white, or half moon cookie, has a vanilla cookie base. But today, I decided to mix it up and go with a brownie base. I also decided to use my whoopie pie pans! Honestly, they are one of the baking tools I have, but rarely use. (Others include a churros maker and mini cake pop maker, both which operate like a foreman grill, and breadmaker).

Whoopie pie pan getting used for the first time in a long time

I used a mix for these, but you could probably use your favorite homemade recipe and add the flour and baking cocoa. Remember to scoop your flour from,you flour bag into your measuring cup and preheat your oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes before baking. Also, if black and white cookies are not your thing, make whatever flavor filling you want and make whoopie pies.

  • Ingredients
  • 1 brownie recipe, prepared
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa

Directions – preheat oven to 350 for 20 minutes. Spray a whoopie pie pan with baking spray, or line a cookie sheet with a nonstick baking liner. Combine your brownie recipe, along with flour and baking cocoa. Mixture will be thick. Scoop out 2 tbs dough and spread evenly in whoopie pie pan or to a 2 1/2 inch circle. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes. Tops may seem undone, but that is ok. Cooking too long will dry them out. Let cool completely.

Chocolate frosting – in a microwave safe bowl, combine 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 4 1/2 tbs butter. Melt in 30 second increments until you can stir smooth. Flat side up, frost 1/2 of cookie. Let set 10 minutes.

Let the chocolate side set for 10 minutes

Vanilla frosting – combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbs corn syrup and 2-3 tbs heavy cream. Frost other side of cookie. Store in covered container.

The finished product

Thanks for stopping by today! If you make these, let me know how they turn out. Remember to be kind. We are all battling something. And don’t forget you matter and are loved!

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Chocolate chip cookie brownie sandwiches

Why have a brownie or a cookie when you can have both?

I was looking to whip up something for work tomorrow, as Rob, Gracie and I watch Islanders-Bruins game 2 and Maple Leafs-Canadiens game 7. So I settled on this treat. Quite simply put, are a chocolate chip cookie “sandwich” with a filling of a brownie. I have seen different versions of this, using reese’s peanut butter cups, mallo cups and brownies as the filling. I went with brownies this time. Although I am partial to puffy cookies probably a flatter cookie wouls be a better option next time. You can use any cookie and brownie recipe you want. I actually put a ganache on the brownies, thinking it might help the cookies stay on the brownie, but I think I just made it messier!

Couple of notes -remember to scoop your flour from you container into your measuring cup so you get the right amount. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes to get the right temp. And make the cookie dough as your brownies bake bc they both are baked at 350.

  • Brownies ingredients
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 yolk
  • 1 tsp chocolate extract
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbs water
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (opt)

Directions – preheat oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Line an 8×8 pan with tin foil and spray with baking spray. Combine butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add egg, yolk and chocolate extract. Mix in baking cocoa, salt and flour. Add chips. Spread into pan evenly (mixture is thick). Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center cones out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely. Cut into 2 inch squares. Set aside.

Brownie filling!
  • Cookies ingredients
  • 1 cup Crisco
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbs vanilla
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 tbs cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp water
  • 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
This is how I staggger my cookies

Directions – preheat oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Line a cookie sheet with nonstick baking liners. Cream Crisco, sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients then watwr. If you feel dough is too dry, add another tsp or so of water. Fold in chips. Scoop out 1 1/2 tbs of dough. Slightly flatten. Staggee on prepared sheets. Bake 8 to 9 minutes (light golden patches on top) cool 20 minutes. Now let’s assemble

Place one cookie flatside up
Top with a brownie
Top with a second cookie flatside down and gently press down.
They look like little hamburgers. 🙂

Thank you for stopping by today. If you make these, let me know how they turn out. And, remember to be kind. We are all fighting some battle. And don’t forget, there is greatness in all of us., and YOU matter and are loved. Wishing you happiness and joy.

Fudgy Brownies with chocolate chips

The more chocolate, the better!

Today’s recipe is brought to you by my chief recipe requester and taste tester, my husband, Rob. He asked for brownies with chocolate chips. Just brownies with a cup of chocolate chips mixed in before baking. My mom does that with her brownies and Rob loves them. Honestly, I never thought of doing that myself. I also added a ganache on top. You can leave them plain, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top, or another frosting. Instead of pulling out a brownie mix, I went homemade this time. And finally, Rob only eats one treat, so the rest are coming to work with me tomorrow to ESPN Radio.

Remember to preheat your oven for 20 minutes before baking so you get the right temp, and to scoop your flour and baking cocoa from your container into your measuring cup so you get the correct amount. Too much flour can make for a dry brownie. Blech.

  • Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tbs milk or water
  • 1 tsp chocolate extract (or vanilla)
  • 3/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 2 tbs cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions – preheat oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Line a 9×13 pan with tin foil and spray with baking spray. Combine butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs, extract and water /milk. Fold in dry ingredients. (Batter will be thick). Add chips. Spread into prepared pan. Bake 16 to 19 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely.

  • Ganache ingredients
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolare chips
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions – combine in a microwave safe container. Microwave in 30 second increments until you can stir smooth. Then, stir for 1 minute. Spread evenly over cooled brownies. Let gamache set. (To speed up the setting of the ganache, you can put them in the fridge for a half hour). Store in covered container.

Someone cut these before the ganache set 😏

Thank you so much for stopping by. If you make these, let me know how you like them. Sending you love and peace today. And, remember to be kind. We are all going through something, some more than others. Life is really hard, some times. ❤

Cookie dough brownies

Cookie dough brownies!

These are so easy to make and contain enough sugar to last anyone for two weeks! ☺ I used a homemade brownie recipe for the base, but you can certainly use a boxed mix. I used melted milk chocolate as the topping, but you can use semisweet or dark chocolate chips if you want.

If you want to spruce up your brownie mix, substitute in coffee for the water, and melted butter for the oil. You can also make both substitutions.

Remember – 1) spoon your flour from your flour container into your cup so you get the correct amount. 2) preheat the oven for 20 minutes before baking So you get the right temp

  • Brownies ingredients
  • 3/4 cups butter
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp chocolate extract
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions – preheat oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Line an 8×8 pan with tin foil and spray with baking spray. In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter and 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Add sugar and brown sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time and extract. Add flour and salt. Mix in chips. Spread in prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs. Cool completley.

  • Cookie dough layer
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/3 cup flour

Directions – mix butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add vanilla. Stir in flour. Spread over cooled brownies.

Chocolate chip topping – in a microwave safe bowl, combine 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 tbs vegetable oil. Heat in 30 second increments until you can stir smooth. I recommend cutting brownies before the chocolate layer completely sets. Cutting hardened chocolate is a challenge and messy for me.

Sweetness goes a long way in the world!

I hope as you read this, you know how much you matter and how much you are loved. And remember to be kind. Life is hard for everyone and many are battling things that we do not know of. Try to be as compassionate and understanding as you can be.

Peanut butter brownies with milk chocolate ganache

Peanut butter brownies with milk chocolate ganache

In honor of the Reese’s egg, I present a peanut butter chocolate treat on this Easter Sunday. They are peanut butter brownies made with peanut butter chips. The ganache is made with milk chocolate chips and heavy cream. If you prefer, you can use chocolate frosting or melt 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1 tbs vegetable oil in 30 second increments in a microwave safe bowl until you can stir it smooth.

  • Peanut butter brownies
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1, 10 oz bag peanut butter chips
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • Dash salt

Directions – preheat oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes to get your oven to the right temperature. Line an 8×8 pan with tin foil and spray with baking spray. In a microwave safe bowl, melt peanut butter chips and butter in 30 second increments until you can stir smooth. Add sugar and eggs. Fold in flour and salt. Spread evenly into prepared 8×8 pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes (edges will be a light golden color). Cool completely.

  • Ganache ingredients
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions – in a microwave safe bowl, heat cream for 45 seconds. Heat another 30 seconds. Pour over chips. Let sit 5 minutes. Stir smooth. Pour over cooled bars. Let set until ganache is firm. (Unlike me). Cut and store,in covered container.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a day filled with joy and love. Whatever struggles you have, I hope your burden is lightened.

White chocolate brownies with milk chocolate ganache and mini M&Ms

I wanted to bring in another treat to go along with the very large chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips. I noticed I have a few bags of white chocolate chips, so I opted for white chocolate brownies. I usually toss in some milk chocolate chips, but decided to instead make a milk chocolate ganache to put on top. And then, top it all off with mini m&ms. Because m&ms make take everything to another level.

Reminders – preheat your oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes before baking So the oven cycles to the right temperature. Scoop your flour from your flour container into your measuring cup.

  • Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 bag white chocolate chips (usually 10 oz)
  • 1 tbs vanilla
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips (opt)

Directions – in a microwave safe bowl, heat butter and white chocolate chips in 30 second increments until you can stir smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Blend in sugar. Stir in flour and salt. Add milk chocolate chips, if using. Line an 8×8 pan with tin foil and spray with Pam. Spread dough evenly. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center basically comes out clean. Brownies will be light golden on top. Cool completely.

  • Ganache ingredients
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions – heat cream in a microwave safe bowl until hot (45 seconds -1 minute). Pour over chips. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir smooth. Leave in bowl for 10 minutes or so to firm up a bit. Pour over cool brownies. Top with M&Ms.

Let ganache firm on the brownies before cutting them (or don’t and be like Rob, my husband 😏) Store in covered container.

If you are struggling with something today, remember you are not alone. I wish you kindness, peace and love. To quote the great Bruce Springsteen “tomorrow there’ll be sunshine, and all this darkness passed.”

Frosted Lemon Bars (made with a cake mix)

Frosted lemon bars

Today’s recipe is a change from my usual chocolate overload. Lemon bars. They are for our friend Marc, celebrating his birthday. They use a lemon cake mix and only a few other ingredients. You can use another flavor cake mix. if you want. If you do, use vanilla extract instead of lemon. I also opted for lemon frosting on top of the lemon bars. Again, if you opt for another flavor bar, vanilla frosting would be fine. Quick reminder to preheat your oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes before baking So the oven is the right temp. If you think 2 tbs lemon juice in the frosting might be too tart, start with 1 and add 1 tbs water.

  • Lemon bar ingredients
  • 1 lemon cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tbs lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup oil

Directions – preheat oven to 350 degrees for 20 min. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and spray with baking spray. In a bowl, blend cake mix, eggs, lemon juice and oil. Spread evenly into pan. Bake 15 to 17 min (do not overbake). Cool completely.

Frosting – combine 2 cups powdered sugar amd 2 tbs lemon juice. (Add water, a tsp at a time,if you want to thin it out a bit.). Add yellow food coloring (optional). Frost bars. Store in covered container.

Have a good day and remember to be kind. We are all battling something each day.