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.

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. ❤