Brownie Mug

Here I am again with these fun and delicious mug cakes!

But this time we're making brownies in a mug, Yuuuuuum!

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Felt like trying something new the other day and what goes better than chocolate and peanut butter?

I always fall back on brownies in a pinch for making a sweet treat too so this was a perfect day to make these.

Brownie Waffles

I've been wanting to try some different desserts and I thought why not combine two of my favorite things ~ Brownies & Waffles!

This is the perfect canvas for dessert and they can be made in advance, especially if you're like us and like your waffles crispy.

What a fun party idea too ~ Set up a dessert waffle bar with different flavored batters and let your guests make their favorite flavor and top them with fresh fruit, syrups, peanut butter, candy, whipped cream, nuts, etc.

Banana Split Brownie Dessert Pizza

I remember going to all the home parties when I was first married.  We used to have Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Longaberger Baskets, Southern Living, etc.  My favorite by far was the Pampered Chef because I not only got to see the newest kitchen gadgets, I always came away with a new yummy recipe.  This is a dessert pizza I remember from years ago but didn't have an exact recipe so this is what I came up with.

Here's what you need:

1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients to make the brownies (I use Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie 9 x 13 Family size)
1 - 8oz. package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 - 8oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 of an 8 oz tub of cool whip
2 bananas, sliced (approx. depending on size of fruit)
1 pint strawberries, sliced (approx. depending on size of fruit)
chocolate syrup, for drizzling on top

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare brownie mix according to the back of the box.

 

Place a piece of parchment on a 15 inch round baking stone and pour the brownie mix directly into the middle of the stone spreading into a 12 inch circle (it will get bigger while it cooks)

 

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

 

When the brownie is done cooking remove from oven and let cool completely.

Drain the pineapple and set aside.  

In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add the Cool Whip and mix until creamy.  Add the pineapple and mix well.

 

 

  Spread mixture evenly over the cooled brownie crust.

 

Slice the strawberries thinly and arrange over the top of the cream cheese mixture.

Slice the bananas and arrange over the strawberries.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup ~ as much as you like

Chill for at least 2 hours before serving, the longer the better.

Mmmmm, this is Amazing!

Serves 12 - 16

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Banana Split Brownie Dessert Pizza

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful parties

Mocha Brownies

These are a super easy but very decadent type of sheet cake/brownie.  I have been making these for years and everyone loves them.  They are the perfect mix of chocolate and mocha flavors with a hint of espresso.  Perfect for a gathering or just to have on hand.

Bet you can't eat just one!

Here's what you need:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup margarine
1 cup water
1 Tbs. instant espresso powder
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Jellyroll pan or baking sheet measuring 11" x 17" x 1"

Frosting

1/2 cup margarine
2 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup milk, I use whole milk whenever I bake
1/4 tsp. instant espresso powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Pre heat oven to 400.  Spray a Jellyroll pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl and set aside.

In a medium saucepan heat the margarine, water, instant espresso and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil and then pour over the flour mixture and mix slightly.

 

 

Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.  

 

Pour into a Jelly Roll pan or a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

 

While the Brownies are cooking prepare the frosting.  

In a saucepan heat the margarine, cocoa powder, cinnamon, milk and espresso powder. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth.

  

Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as they are out of the oven.  

 

Cool completely and cut into bars.

 

They are moist and chocolaty with a hint of espresso.  YUM

Serves - anywhere from 24 - 48 depending on the size you cut.

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Mocha Brownies

Linking up with ~

Anything Goes Linky #43 at Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo

Pinworthy Projects #4 at Just us Four

Fabulous Friday #11 at My Crowded Kitchen

Freestyle Friday #35 at Happy Hour Projects

Strut your Stuff Saturday Link Party at Six Sisters Stuff

Chic & Crafty Party at The Frugal Girls

Sweet & Simple Sunday #3 at Cups by Kim

Seasonal Inspiration at Crumbs and Chaos

Happy Valentine's Day and Chewy Brownies

Valentine's Day is very special to me not only because it's Valentine's Day, but because It's my Anniversary.  My Husband and I have been married for 22 years today and I couldn't be happier.  So I would like to wish all my readers a Happy Valentine's Day !

Now on to the Good Stuff...

A few weeks ago I was in the mood to make brownies from scratch so off I went to the land of blogs.  I found Brown Eyed Baker blog and this wonderful recipe.

To back up the story a little; not all of you know me personally so I'll let you in on a little secret; I'm not really a big chocolate fan, gasp.  I know most women LOVE chocolate, but I'm more of a caramel person or most other flavors for that matter, so when I say that these brownies are DELICIOUS you have to believe me.  Because they are!  So without further ado....

 

Here's what you need

Chewy Brownies

1-1/4 cup flour, unbleached all purpose
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbl. unsweetened cocoa powder
10 oz. bag dark chocolate chips
1 cup butter, unsalted
1 tsp. instant espresso powder
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
5 eggs, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 13 with cooking spray and set aside, or using muffin tins, line 24 muffin tin cups with paper liners.

In a medium bowl mix the flour, cocoa powder and salt and set aside.

 In the top of a double boiler or in a medium - large bowl over a pan of simmering water (the bowl must NOT touch the water; only use an inch or so water in a pan)  Place the butter, espresso powder, and chocolate chips.  Stir while melting everything together until smooth.  

 

Turn off the heat and stir in the two sugars until combined.  It will look gritty.

 

Remove bowl from top of pan.  The mixture should be at room temperature.

Using a hand mixer add the eggs one at a time, completely incorporating after each one.  Add the vanilla and mix well.

 

Next sprinkle half the flour mixture over the wet and beat on low until just incorporated, add the rest and using a rubber spatula fold the rest in by hand.  Do not over beat.

I have made these two ways -

First is to use a 9 x 13 sprayed with cooking spray.  Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 35-40 minutes (see below).  Do not over bake.  Toothpick inserted into the middle will come out with a few bits of brownie still on it when it is the perfect doneness.

 

 

Oh, my Yummy Brownies!

This is the second way - 

Using 2 muffins pans with 12 muffin tins each, line all 24 muffin cups with a paper liner and using a scoop (I use pampered chef 2 oz. scoop) fill the cups 2/3 way full.  

 

Bake for 16 - 18 minutes depending on the chewiness you like.  The toothpick should have a little chewiness look to it when inserted into the baked brownies.

Just as delish as the pan brownies and more handy for kids.

I used this vanilla Buttercream and tinted it with red gel food coloring and frosted the Brownie cups then sprinkled with Valentine sprinkles.

 

Beautiful Valentine Brownie Cups

Enjoy!

Serves - 1 9 x 13 pan or 24 Brownie cups

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Chewy Brownies

Here's the handy printable - Vanilla Buttercream

Recipe adapted from - Brown Eyed Baker

Linking up with Fusion Friday at Jennifer Cooks

**Recipe revised on 2/23/12 -  I just noticed I put the wrong ounce weight on the bag of dark chocolate.

**Revision on 3/8/12 - If you like a more cakey brownie bake for 40 - 45 minutes.  If you like a more fudgy brownie then stay with the 35 - 40 minutes.